NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball team's season came to a close with a four-set loss to Bradley on Wednesday at CEFCU Arena.
Seniors Sarah Kushner, Kendee Hilliard, and Kaity Weimerskirch played their final match as Redbirds.
After the teams split the first two sets, the Redbirds trailed in the third set, 7-2. A 17-8 run put the 'Birds up, 19-15, but Bradley scored the next six points before ultimately winning the set after ISU fought off two set points.
Weimerskirch had a match-high 25 digs, including 10 in the third set, while Hilliard had 10 kills and Kushner had six kills and 11 digs.
The Redbirds conclude the season at 12-17 overall and 5-13 in the MVC while the Braves improve to 10-20 overall and 6-12 in the MVC, securing the eight seed in the MVC Tournament after Southern Illinois topped Missouri State in five sets.
SET SCORES
Illinois State falls to Bradley (1-3): 22-25, 25-16, 25-27, 16-25
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Hananh Reichensperger (11 - career-high)
Digs: Kaity Weimerskirch (25)
Assists: Emily Weber (22)
Service Aces: Kaity Weimerskirch and Emily Weber (2)
Total Blocks: Regan Haith and Calia Clubb (3)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
-Illinois State (.132) was outhit by Bradley (.192)
-Freshmen had the same or more kills than non-freshmen in the final 16 matches for the Redbirds.
-Freshmen have 448 of the team's 595 (75.3%) kills in the final 12 matches for the Redbirds.
-Freshman Emily Weber posted her seventh double-double of the season (22 assists, 12 digs).
-Sophomore Katelyn Lefler eclipsed 1,000 career assists in the match, becoming the 17th Redbird to reach that mark.
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