CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – A season filled with adversity couldn't stop the Illinois State volleyball team (22-11), as the No. 3 Redbirds swept the No. 1 seed UNI Panthers on Saturday night in the Missouri Valley Conference championship match. With its win, Illinois State became the first three-seed to ever win the tournament title.
Stef Jankiewicz was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Sarah Kushner and Kaylee Martin were placed on the All-Tournament Team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> A trio of kills from Sarah Kushner helped ISU open the match on a 5-1 scoring run. Out of a UNI-called timeout, the Redbirds continued to run as ISU stormed ahead to an eight-point advantage and the Panthers used their final break. UNI answered with a 3-0 run with back-to-back service aces, but ISU regained a seven-point advantage on a kill from Emmy Ogogor. The Redbirds took their largest lead of the set, 16-10, before UNI crept within three of ISU. The Redbirds didn't let UNI's run phase them, as Sydney Holt tallied her fourth kill to seal the opening frame, 25-21.
Set 2 >> The Redbirds opened the second set on a 4-1 run on a pair of blocks by Martin and Ogogor. UNI pulled within one, before Martin's sixth kill helped ISU take a 7-3 lead as the Panthers called a timeout. Three net violations by the Redbirds brought the Panthers back within reach, before a block by Ogogor and Jankiewicz as a part of a 3-0 run helped ISU surge back ahead by six. UNI responded with a pair of quick points, before a kill from Martin and an ace delivered by Jankiewicz made it 20-12 in favor of the Redbirds. The Panthers responded with a three-point run, but ISU kept its cushion and secured the set, 25-16.
Set 3 >> Illinois State kept its foot on the gas pedal in the deciding set, as a block by Holt and Jankiewicz followed by a kill from the middle blocker, helped the Redbirds open on a 3-0 run. UNI delivered a service ace to come within one, before Martin's 12th kill aided ISU's efforts to regain a two-point cushion. The Panthers took their only lead of the match, sitting at a 9-8 advantage, before a kill from Taylor Lynch leveled the set at nine-all. A block by Jankiewicz and Ogogor pushed the Redbirds out in front, 15-12, as ISU ran away with the 25-19 third-set win.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
Illinois State will learn of its postseason opportunities at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, when the NCAA Selection Show airs on ESPNU. Fans are invited to a public watch party in the Club at Hancock Stadium on Illinois State's campus. Doors to the Club will open at 7:15 p.m. and parking is available east of the stadium. Fans should use the north elevator inside the gates of Hancock Stadium to access the Club.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
