NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team (19-11, 12-6 MVC) won its fifth-straight match on Saturday night, sweeping Evansville to close the regular season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> Evansville took an early lead, before Kendee Hilliard's first kill leveled the set at seven-all. The back-and-forth battle continued as Illinois State held a 15-11 advantage going into the media break behind Emmy Ogogor's second kill and a service ace delivered by Stef Jankiewicz. The Purple Aces were forced to use their first timeout, sitting at a six-point deficit. The Redbirds used a 5-1 run to close the opening frame by securing the set, 25-15, on a block by Kaylee Martin.
Set 2 >> The Purple Aces bounced back in the second set, opening on a 5-1 run before Martin registered a pair of kills to kickstart a 3-0 run for the Redbirds. A service ace by Sydney Holt knot the set at five-all, as Evansville was forced to use a timeout with Illinois State on a 5-0 run. Out of the break, the Purple Aces responded with four-straight points to hold a 9-7 lead over the Redbirds. An Evansville hitting error pushed ISU ahead, 16-15, before the Redbirds jumped out to a five-point advantage. The Purple Aces used another three-point scoring run to force the Redbirds to call a timeout, before a Hilliard kill helped ISU take the second set, 25-22.
Set 3 >> The Redbirds returned the favor to begin the deciding set, starting on a 5-1 run behind a pair of kills from Martin. A successful challenge by Evansville's head coach reversed a call brought the Purple Aces within two. ISU broke free as a Hilliard kill pushed the Redbirds out by five. A four-point run by Illinois State extended the Redbirds' lead with two more kills from Martin and one from Holt. Miller's ninth kill of the match carried the Redbirds to match point, before a kill from Holt helped ISU take the final set, 25-20.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
With their victory, the Redbirds have secured the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Volleyball Championship and will take on the Purple Aces on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. For more information on about the event, fans can visit the tournament central page on the Valley's website.
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