NORMAL, Ill. – After topping Valparaiso (4-6, 3-5 MVC) in four sets on Sunday night, the Illinois State volleyball team (7-5, 5-3 MVC) dropped a heartbreaking five-set match against the visitors on Monday to split the regular-season series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> Illinois State opened on a 6-1 run, behind a pair of aces from Sarah Kushner and Kendal Meier. Valparaiso climbed its way back to level the set at seven-all, before the teams exchanged points. A rare service error by the Redbirds carried Valparaiso to a 15-14 lead going into the media break. Three-straight points by the Redbirds out of the timeout pushed ISU ahead, 17-15, as Valpo called a timeout. Another Kushner kill with Valparaiso sitting at set point wasn't enough for the Redbirds, as Valpo held on for a 25-21 opening-set win.
Set 2 >> A team-leading seventh kill from Kushner carried ISU to a 10-7 advantage early in the second set. A pair of kills from Kaitlyn Prondzinski kept the Redbirds in the lead, before a kill from Valparaiso sent the visitors into the media timeout with a slim one-point edge after a long rally. A tip over the block by Tamara Otene off the bench ended a run by Valparaiso, before Prondzinski's eighth kill leveled the set at 18-all. Another ace dropped over the top of the net by Kushner helped ISU take a one-point edge, while Meier's second ace of the match gave the Redbirds a 23-22 lead. A set-leading sixth kill from Prondzinski lifted the Redbirds to set point, before a kill on the outside by Martin sealed it, 25-23.
Set 3 >> A big play defensively by Illinois State translated into an early 6-3 lead for the Redbirds. Valparaiso used a timeout, trailing by four, before the Redbird run continue for a six-point advantage. A solo block in the middle by Sydney Holt helped ISU keep its cushion approaching the midway point of the set. Meier tucked her team-leading third ace of the match into the back corner of the court, as Valparaiso called a timeout sitting at a 16-10 deficit. Another ace, this time by Carley Nicholson, lifted ISU to a 21-14 lead. A kill from Kushner on the right side helped ISU close in on set point, before an ace by the sophomore handed the Redbirds the 25-16 third-set win.
Set 4 >> Valparaiso charged ahead on an 11-2 run, as Illinois State was forced to use both of its timeouts early. Three-straight points by the Redbirds, including a kill and block from Martin, brought ISU back within six. A 4-0 scoring run by Illinois State, featuring a pair of kills from Kushner, trimmed Valpo's lead to three as they used the final timeout by either team holding onto a 12-9 lead. Valparaiso regained a seven-point cushion, jumping out to an 18-11 advantage, before Kendee Hilliard checked into the match to offer an offensive spark. Despite a kill from Lund with Valparaiso sitting at set point, The Brown and Gold was able to hold on for a 25-18 win in the fourth set.
Set 5 >> Valparaiso scored seven-straight points to start the deciding set, despite Illinois State using both its timeouts and a pair of substitutions, before a kill on the outside by Otene silenced the Valpo run. The Redbirds struggled to find their rhythm, as the visitors extended their lead. A block by Lund and Martin gave ISU its second point of the set, but Valparaiso closed on 4-0 run to grab the set, 15-2.
LEADING THE FLOCK
UP NEXT
Illinois State will hit the road for a pair of matches at Loyola Chicago next Sunday and Monday.
Game dates, opponents, times and locations are subject to change. To view Illinois State's full schedule and find ways to follow the match, visit GoRedbirds.com.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
