CHICAGO, Ill. – Despite a career-high 21 kills from sophomore Caitlyn Little, the Illinois State volleyball team dropped a competitive five-set match at UIC on Friday night from Credit Union 1 Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State falls to UIC in five sets: 20-25, 26-24, 26-28, 25-23, 9-15
Set 1
UIC took hold of some early momentum, going on a 5-0 run, to lead 6-2. The Flames would not relent the lead as they led 15-10 heading into the media timeout. Out of the timeout, both sides stayed competitive as the Redbirds worked to cut into the Flames' advantage. The Redbirds won four of the final six set points, but it was UIC closing out the set with two straight for the 25-20 set win.
Set 2
The teams traded points back-and-forth early in set two before UIC pulled ahead thanks to a 3-0 run for the 9-6 lead. Illinois State tied the score at 13-13 before pulling ahead 15-14 into the media timeout. Out of the break, the score remained close as ISU pulled ahead late with a 3-0 run to force a Flames timeout at 20-17. Set two required extra points as ISU remained composed and took set two, 26-24.
Set 3
Set three would begin much like the previous two as ISU grabbed the early momentum with a 3-0 run for the 8-5 lead. The Flames remained resilient and recorded a 5-0 run for the 15-13 lead as ISU called timeout. Down the stretch, both sides put together a 3-0 run as UIC led 22-19 before three straight by the Redbirds tied the score at 22-22. Set three would require extra action as UIC pulled out the 28-26 set three win.
Set 4
After four ties through the first 10 set points, the teams battled point-for-point once more as Illinois State went into the media timeout ahead 15-14. After UIC trimmed the Redbird lead to 18-17, Illinois State rattled off three straight points to take a 21-17 lead and force a Flames timeout. UIC did not go down quietly as the Flames responded to make the score 22-20 as Illinois State called timeout. Both sides fought tooth-and-nail down the stretch as Illinois State took set four, 25-23, to force a decisive set five.
Set 5
The Redbirds and Flames started the fifth set trading points back-and-forth as UIC went on a 4-0 run to take the early 6-4 lead. The home team never surrendered the lead, closing the set with four of the last five points for the 15-9 overall match victory.
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Caitlyn Little (21)
Digs: Sammi Bunch (26)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (53)
Service Aces: Sammi Bunch (3)
Total Blocks: Three athletes (4)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
- Illinois State (.180) was outhit by UIC (.204)
- Three Redbirds recorded a double-double Friday night (Little, Oliwia Caputa, Aupiu)
- Mekaila Aupiu records a career-high 53 assists
- Caitlyn Little records a career high 21 kills
UP NEXT
Illinois State returns to action against Valparaiso with first serve at 5:00 p.m. CT Saturday night from the ARC in Valparaiso, Indiana.
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