VALPARAISO, Ind. – Illinois State volleyball fell in four sets to the Valparaiso Beacons on Saturday night inside the Athletics Recreation Center.
With the loss, the Redbirds fall to 11-13 on the year and 6-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Beacons improve to 14-9 overall and 6-5 in league play after winning both of their matches this weekend.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State falls to Valparaiso in four sets: 25-20, 18-25, 16-25, 22-25
Set 1
After a back-and-forth start to set one, Illinois State went on a 4-0 run to take an early 10-6 lead to force a Beacons timeout. Valparaiso trimmed the lead to two at 11-9 before another 4-0 run by the Redbirds built out a six-point lead at 15-9. The Beacons would trim the margin to three at 15-12Â but the Birds remained ahead during the reminder of the set, scoring three of the final five points for the 25-20 set one win.
Set 2
The teams remained close through the start of set two, as the score would be tied 10-10 before the Beacons went on a 5-1 run to lead 15-11 at the media timeout. Illinois State cut into the lead to make it a three-point game at 18-15, but the Beacons offense would be too much as they led by as many as seven down the stretch. Valparaiso scored three of the final four set points to secure set two, 25-18.
Set 3
Set three would see an early 5-0 run by Valparaiso to hold an early 8-2 lead. The Redbirds would eventually trim the lead to 10-5. After calling a timeout down 12-5, Illinois State polished off an 8-3 run to make it a three-point game at 16-13 as Valparaiso called timeout. Out of the break, it was Valparaiso remaining in firm control as the Beacons closed the set on a 9-3 run to take set three, 25-16.
Set 4
Three quick points by the Redbirds saw Valparaiso call an early timeout at 3-0. Illinois State kept the lead for majority of the set before Valparaiso would take a slight 17-16 lead as the teams went point-for-point down the stretch. The Beacons took control of late momentum with the score tied 20-20 to close the set on a 5-2 run to take the match with a 25-22 set four victory.
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Khenedi Guest (14)
Digs: Sammi Bunch (17)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (37)
Service Aces: Olivia Baierl (1)
Total Blocks: Hannah Reichensperger & Khenedi Guest (4)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
- Illinois State (.156) was outhit by Valparaiso (.213)
- Mekaila Aupiu recorded her 11th double-double of 2024 (37 assists, 15 digs)
- Khenedi Guest leads the Redbirds in kills for the third match this season
UP NEXT
Illinois State remains on the road to face Evansville and Indiana State next weekend. The Redbirds will face the Purple Aces on Friday night at 6 p.m. CT before facing the Sycamores on Saturday night at 5 p.m. CT.
For all the latest on Illinois State volleyball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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