NORMAL, Ill. – The top-seeded Illinois State volleyball team (14-5) won its seventh-straight match on Thursday morning, sweeping Indiana State (7-13) in the first quarterfinal of the Missouri Valley Conference Volleyball Championship at Redbird Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 >> Illinois State opened on an 8-2 run behind strong serving and a trio of early kills from Sydney Holt. Indiana State used its final timeout as the Redbirds were hitting .769 in the opening set and out to a 16-6 advantage. An ace dropped by Sarah Kushner extended Illinois State's lead, while a kill by Nicole Lund pushed the Redbirds to set point. The Sycamores tipped it over the block for their 12th kill of the frame, but a kill from Kaylee Martin sealed it, 25-13.
Set 2 >> Two more aces from Kushner gave Illinois State and early 6-3 lead in the second set. Indiana State stayed in the heels of the Redbirds, coming within two with an ace of its own. An Illinois State attacking error – just its fourth of the match – helped the Sycamores climb back and level the set at 12-all. Stef Jankiewicz's third kill carried the Redbirds into the media break with a two-point cushion, before Indiana State responded out of the timeout with a 3-0 run for its first lead of the match. It was a back-and-forth battle, until the Redbirds' defense allowed the home team to regain a three-point advantage late in the set. A Sycamore attacking error carried Illinois State to set point, before Kushner's seven kill gave the Redbirds the 25-20 win.
Set 3 >> Indiana State used a 5-0 run and unsuccessful challenge by Illinois State to take an early lead over the Redbirds, before Kushner's fourth ace leveled it at six-all. Holt's 10th kill helped the Redbirds hold a three-point advantage at the media break, before two more points out of the break pushed Illinois State ahead, 17-12, forcing the Sycamores to use a timeout. Kushner's fifth ace of the match helped the Redbirds charge ahead by six, while the Illinois State run continued for a 23-15 lead on a kill by libero Kendal Meier. A kill from Martin pushed Illinois State to match point, before Kushner secured the set for the Redbirds, 25-17.
LEADING THE FLOCK
QUOTING COACH JOHNSON
On the team's success in the quarterfinals…
"Set one, we were on fire – error-free, very aggressive, ran a clean offense. Honestly, it wasn't even our best passing set, so I was pleased to see us maintain our efficiency. In set two, I thought we were very resilient, and it was more back-and-forth. We didn't lose our head, even though we had a couple silly plays. Then in set three, when it was tied at 12, we were able to pull away."
On Sydney Holt's performance…
"Sydney is kind of the juggernaut that you have to get through, both defensively and offensively, so adding her to the mix makes everyone harder to defend. She was 50-percent kill, hit .500. I mean every other ball she touched was a point for us. That's instrumental in how the rest of the team can play their game around her."
UP NEXT
The No. 1 Redbirds will continue the MVC championship tournament tomorrow with a semifinal matchup against No. 4 Bradley at 2 p.m. Due to COVID-19 protocols within Valparaiso's Tier I personnel, which consists of student-athletes, coaches, managers and staff, Bradley – Valpo's scheduled opponent – automatically advanced to Friday's semifinals after the Valley canceled today's second quarterfinal match between the Braves and Valpo.
For more information on the MVC Championship at Redbird Arena, please visit GoRedbirds.com.
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.
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