VALPARAISO, Ind. – Two of the best blocking teams in the Missouri Valley Conference met in Valparaiso, Indiana, on Friday night, as the Crusaders out-blocked the Redbirds, 16-13, but Illinois State (16-11, 9-6 MVC) crawled its way back from an 0-2 deficit to take down Valparaiso (11-18, 6-9 MVC) in five sets.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> Valpo opened on a 5-2 run, before charging ahead for an early 8-4 lead behind a strong blocking game at the net. Sydney Holt registered her match-leading third kill and followed with a service ace to bring the Redbirds back within two. Back-to-back blocks by the Crusaders pushed Valpo out to a 14-9 advantage, forcing ISU to call a timeout. The Redbirds used their final timeout sitting at a 20-12 deficit, before Emmy Ogogor and Monica Miller teamed up for back-to-back blocks to bring ISU back within four. Valpo fought off ISU's threat, holding on for a 25-19 opening-set win.
Set 2 >> ISU took an early lead in the second set, behind a kill from Holt and a solo block by Stef Jankiewicz. The Crusaders quickly regained momentum before a service ace by Sarah Kushner brought ISU back within one. A block by Ogogor and Taylor Lynch helped the Redbirds level the set at 12-all, before an ace by Martin gave ISU the one-point edge to force Valpo to use a timeout. The Crusaders jumped out in front, 20-17, as back-to-back kills from Martin kept Valpo on its toes. The back-and-forth battle continued, before the Crusaders delivered an ace to take the second set, 25-22.
Set 3 >> A block on the outside by Lynch and Ogogor pushed ISU out in front, 4-3, while Jankiewicz's second ace of the match kept the Redbirds ahead. Paige Hilliard checked into the match and tallied a pair of quick kills for an 8-6 lead for ISU. The Crusaders crawled back to level it at eight-all and then again at 10. Out of an ISU-called timeout, a kill and ace by Holt pushed the Redbirds out by two. Valpo fought back to level the set at 16-all, before taking a two-point lead for an ISU timeout. A kill by Ogogor brought ISU within one, sitting at a 21-20 deficit, before the Redbirds battling back for 27-25 third-set win on a block by Martin and Holt.
Set 4 >> ISU opened on a 7-2 run behind a trio of kills from Martin to push the junior to a match-leading 19 on the night. Valpo fought back to come within three, as the Redbirds called a timeout, leading 10-7. The Redbirds kept a three-point cushion, until the Crusaders delivered a kill and an ace to come within one. A team-leading third ace by Holt helped the Redbirds hold a 15-12 lead, before her 13th kill pushed ISU to set point. A Crusader was called for being in the net, handing the Redbirds a 25-19 fourth-set win.
Set 5 >> It was a back-and-forth battle from the start in the fifth, as a dump over the net by Jankiewicz helped the Redbirds take an early 4-3 lead. ISU continued its run, holding a 6-3 advantage to force the Crusaders to call a timeout. Valpo continued to fight, coming within one of the Redbirds, before a Hilliard kill and block by the redshirt freshman and Holt kept ISU ahead by a pair. Martin with her match-leading 24th kill pushed the Redbirds to set point, before a block by Jankiewicz and Holt helped ISU complete the comeback with a 15-8 win.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
Illinois State will travel to Loyola Chicago for its final road match of the regular season tomorrow. First serve between the Redbirds and the Ramblers is set for 5 p.m.
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