NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State volleyball (11-10, 6-2 MVC) fell in four sets to MVC-leading UNI (13-7, 8-0 MVC) on Friday night inside CEFCU Arena in one of the marquee MVC matchups of the weekend.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State falls to UNI in four sets: 26-24, 17-25, 17-25, 21-25
Set 1
Illinois State was first on the board as the Redbirds held on to an early lead before UNI stormed back to take a 15-13 lead into the media timeout. The Redbirds scored four straight out of the timeout, as the sides continued to go back-and-forth down the stretch. After ISU held set point at 24-22, UNI scored two straight points to force a Redbird timeout before the Birds scored the final two points for the 26-24 set one victory.
Set 2
UNI came out strong in set two, taking an early 7-3 lead to force an early Redbirds timeout. The score remained in the Panthers' favor as UNI built as big a lead as five at 11-6 before exploding offensively. UNI would go on a 7-0 run to stretch the margin to 19-9 and hold firm control of the set. The Redbirds did not quit as they cut the margin to six before two straight Panthers points closed the set with the 25-17 win.
Set 3
After UNI would lead early, it was the Redbirds responding to keep the score close through the first 10 points of set three. With the score tied 11-11, UNI would rattle off a 10-0 run to build out a 21-11 lead and never look back. Despite the Redbirds trimming the lead down to seven, UNI remained unfazed in the closing moments to close the set and take set three, 25-17.
Set 4
The fourth set saw the Redbirds rush out to an early lead, scoring the first three points of the set. The score would remain close yet again as a Ruth Ziegler kill gave the Redbirds a slight 15-14 advantage at the media timeout. The sides kept battling point-for-point before the Panthers scored three of the final five set points to take the 25-21 set four win and overall match victory.
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Aida Shadewald (20)
Digs: Sammi Bunch (15)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (40)
Service Aces: Lauren Salata (2)
Total Blocks: Khenedi Guest (7)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
- Illinois State (.248) was outhit by UNI (.321)
- Junior Aida Shadewald sits three kills away from 1,000 career kills as a Redbird
- The loss snaps ILS' six-match win streak
UP NEXT
Illinois State will look to get back on track versus Drake tomorrow night, October 18, at 5:00 p.m. inside CEFCU Arena.
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