TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Illinois State volleyball team (14-10, 7-5 MVC) jumped back in the win column Monday night with a straight-set win at Indiana State (5-18, 3-10 MVC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> It was a back-and-forth battle out of the gate, as the teams exchanged points early. Monica Miller continued her offensive production from Friday night, tallying a pair of quick kills before teaming up with Emmy Ogogor for a block at the net. A kill from Kendee Hilliard helped Illinois State take a 10-7 lead, while Sydney Holt's team-leading third kill pushed the Redbirds ahead, 15-9, going into the media break. The Sycamores answered with a 5-1 scoring run to come within one of Illinois State, before the Redbirds sealed the opening frame, 25-21.
Set 2 >> Illinois State opened on an 8-3 run to force the Sycamores to use an early timeout behind a service ace from Carley Nicholson and a pair of blocks by Holt. The Sycamores responded with a five-point run to come within one of the Redbirds. Back-to-back hitting errors by Illinois State leveled the set at 13-all before a tip over the block by Hilliard was able to give the Redbirds a one-point edge. Sarah Kushner's first kill of the match knot the set back at 18-all, while Miller's sixth kill evened the set at 23-all. An attacking error by the Sycamores helped the Redbirds take the second set, 27-25, to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set 3 >> The Redbirds went on an early run, holding a 9-5 advantage, before the Sycamores responded with a pair of quick points to cut into their deficit. Illinois State called a timeout, as the Sycamores fought back to level the set at 11-all. A block by Holt and Ogogor pushed the Redbirds out by two, before a service ace by Indiana State knot the frame at 17 – the 11th tie of the set. Hilliard and Ogogor sent back-to-back overpasses back on the Sycamores' side for a 19-17 lead and Indiana State timeout. A service ace by Miller surged the Redbirds to a 23-19 advantage, before Illinois State sealed the third set, 25-21, on a kill by Martin.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
Illinois State returns to Redbird Arena this weekend and will go for the season sweep of UNI and Drake.
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