NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team (18-11, 11-6 MVC) won its fourth-straight match on Friday night, sweeping the Indiana State Sycamores (7-20, 5-12 MVC) at Redbird Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> Illinois State opened on a 6-1 run behind a pair of service aces from Sarah Kushner. A big swing in the middle by Emmy Ogogor kept the Redbirds ahead by three, sitting at a 10-7 advantage. Kushner's third ace pushed Illinois State out in front, 15-10, going into the media break. The scoring run continued for the Redbirds with Kaylee Martin's fourth kill and a block by the junior and Ogogor. Indiana State fell to a 21-12 deficit, as back-to-back kills by Kendee Hilliard – courtesy of a successful coaches' challenge by Leah Johnson – secured the opening frame, 25-16.
Set 2 >> The Sycamores opened with an early lead in the second set, sitting at an 11-5 advantage to force the Redbirds to call a timeout. A kill from Monica Miller crushed the Indiana State scoring run and kickstarted one for the Redbirds, as Illinois State came within one on a block by Stef Jankiewicz and Sydney Holt. The Sycamores fought off the Redbirds' comeback, sitting at a two-point lead, before Ogogor's fourth kill leveled the set at 13-all. Illinois State responded with a 9-1 run to push the home team out to a 20-14 lead. A service ace delivered by Carley Nicholson pushed the Redbirds to set point, before Ogogor's seventh kill sealed the set, 25-17.
Set 3 >> Illinois State kept its foot on the gas pedal, opening the deciding set on a 7-1 run behind a trio of kills from three different Redbirds. The Sycamores used their final timeout with the Redbirds sitting at an 11-3 lead as Miller tallied her fourth kill. A tip over the block by the senior pushed Illinois State ahead by eight before the Sycamores responded with a 3-0 run. An Ogogor kill carried the Redbirds to match point, before a block by Miller and Holt gave Illinois State the 25-14 third-set win.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
Illinois State closes the regular season tomorrow night against Evansville, before traveling to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Championship next week.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
