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.

ISU trailed 9-3 in the fifth set before going on a 12-3 run to win the match. The 'Birds also fell behind 2-1 prior to winning the fourth set.

Freshman Regan Haith led the way for Illinois State, 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.

SET SCORES

Illinois State wins (3-2): 25-16, 23-25, 12-25, 25-20, 15-12

ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS

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)

ILLINOIS STATE NOTES

-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

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. This 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 just tastes really good so I'm really excited to get our first win as Redbirds."

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