Illinois State Wins Eighth-Straight, Sweep Evansville, 3-0

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team flew past Evansville in the 60th all-time meeting between the program at CECU Arena on Friday as the Redbirds won in convincing three-set fashion.

Sophomore Aida Shadewald led the Redbirds on Friday, finishing with a match high 10 kills as fellow sophomore Hannah Reichensperger contributed nine kills of her own on the night.

Sophomore Emily Weber was impressive once more for the Redbirds as the Fishers, Ind. native notched her 15th straight match with at least 20 assists. Weber collected 23 assists on Friday to lead the match in the category.

Graduate student Mari Hinkle would also be a big contributor for the Redbirds on Friday as she would collect a match high 17 digs as part of a 61-dig night for the 'Birds. 

After two closely contested sets to begin the match, the third set would be all ISU as the Redbirds looked in firm control. During the third set, the Redbirds led by as many as 11 on two separate occasions (20-9; 22-11) before pulling away in the end to take a convincing 25-12 third-set victory for the sweep over the Purple Aces.

Illinois State improves to 10-12 overall and 8-2 in MVC play while Evansville drops to 8-13 overall and 3-7 in MVC play.

SET SCORES

Illinois State sweeps Evansville (3-0): 25-23, 25-17, 25-12

ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS

Kills: Aida Shadewald (10)

Digs: Mari Hinkle (17)

Assists: Emily Weber (23)

Service Aces: Emily Weber (3)

Total Blocks: Hannah Reichensperger (7)

ILLINOIS STATE NOTES

- Illinois State (.176) outhit Evansville (.000)

- Illinois State has now won eight straight matches for the first time since 2021 (Oct. 15-Nov. 5) when the program totaled eight straight wins that season.

UP NEXT

Illinois State will play their fifth straight match at home when the Indiana State Sycamores come to Normal on Saturday with first serve at 5 p.m. CT from CEFCU Arena.

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