CINCINNATI, Ohio - First-year head coach Allie Matters secured her first win as a Redbird as the Illinois State volleyball team rallied to secure a five-set victory over Cincinnati in the "Tribute to #10" tournament at Fifth Third Arena. The 'Birds dropped a four-set match against Florida State to conclude the day.
Against Cincinnati, ISU trailed 9-3 in the fifth set before going on a 12-3 run to win the match, capped by a pair of blocks. The 'Birds also fell behind 2-1 prior to winning the fourth set.
Freshman Regan Haith led the way for Illinois State in the victory, recording eight kills with nine blocks and a trio of service aces. Sophomore Katelyn Lefler had a strong match, posting 40 assists, 17 digs, five blocks, and six kills.
Against Florida State, Illinois State won the first set and led late in the second set before the Seminoles, which received votes in the preseason AVCA poll, took control of the match.
Senior Kendee Hilliard provided a spark for the 'Birds in the loss, recording 10 kills on a .429 hitting percentage.
SET SCORES
Illinois State wins vs Cincinnati (3-2): 25-16, 23-25, 12-25, 25-20, 15-12
Illinois State falls to Florida State (1-3): 25-22, 23-25, 21-25, 14-25
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
vs Cincinnati
Kills: Kaitlyn Prondzinski (11)
Digs: Kaity Weimerskirch (22)
Assists: Katelyn Lefler (40)
Service Aces: Kaity Weimerskirch and Regan Haith (3)
Total Blocks: Regan Haith (9)
vs Florida State
Kills: Aida Shadewald (12)
Digs: Sarah Kushner (13)
Assists: Katelyn Lefler (25)
Service Aces: Kaity Weimerskirch (4)
Total Blocks: Regan Haith, Nicole Lund (9)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
vs Cincinnati
-Illinois State (.205) outhit Cincinnati (.186)
-Five Redbirds (Weimerskirch, Haith, freshman Aida Shadewald, senior Sarah Kushner, and junior Nora Janka) record multiple service aces
-Kushner (10 kills, 10 digs) posted her first double-double of 2022 after she led the MVC with 19 double-doubles in 2021
-All three of Weimerskirch's aces came in the first set
-Illinois State improved to 26-24 in season openers all-time, having won four of its last six
vs Florida State
-Illinois State (.136) was outhit by Florida State (.289)
-Shadewald (12 kills, 10 digs) recorded her first collegiate double-double
-Weimerskirch opens 2022 with a pair of matches with three-plus service aces
HEAD COACH ALLIE MATTERS QUOTE
"We knew after our exhibition at DePaul that we had a lot to work on. We worked on a lot of stuff and talked about an intangible win of fight and teamwork. {The Cincinnati match] didn't have anything to do with talent - that had to do with heart and good work. I'm really, really proud of them for responding. We were down 9-3 in the fifth set and it only goes to 15, that's a really tough score against a really tough team so we battled. That win [vs Cincinnati] just tastes really good so I'm really excited to get our first win as Redbirds."
UP NEXT
Illinois State plays at 5:30 p.m. CT against Dayton to conclude the Redbird portion of the "Tribute to #10" at Cincinnati. The Flyers received votes in the AVCA preseason poll. Illinois State hosts its home tournament September 2-3.
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