DES MOINES, Iowa - Despite a career-high 15 kills from freshman Aida Shadewald, the Illinois State volleyball team dropped a competitive three-set match at Drake in the Bulldogs' home-opening match at the Knapp Center.
Freshman Hannah Reichensperger posted career-high seven kills with a .417 hitting percentage to go with four blocks, including a pair of block solos.
The Redbirds rallied from a nine-point deficit in the first set to come within a point before erasing a seven-point deficit in the second set to tie the set before ultimately falling short in each.
For the second-straight match, Illinois State was without three of its starters from its season-opening lineup. The Redbirds had a pair of players exit Friday's match with undisclosed injuries.
SET SCORES
Illinois State falls at Drake (0-3): 20-25, 24-26, 20-25
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Aida Shadewald (15)
Digs: Kaity Weimerskirch (16)
Assists: Nora Janka (25)
Service Aces: Nora Janka and Kaity Weimerskirch (2)
Total Blocks: Hannah Reichensperger (4)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
-Illinois State (.222) was outhit by Drake (.274)
-The Redbirds (42) recorded more kills than the Bulldogs (40).
-All five Illinois State freshmen played in all three sets as the 29 of the team's 42 digs (.690)
UP NEXT
Illinois State will battle Missouri Valley Conference-leading UNI on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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