SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A complete and efficient offensive effort by the Illinois State volleyball team, lifted the squad to a 3-1 victory over Missouri State on Friday night in the Hammons Student Center.
The Redbirds, who with this win have won back-to-back matches, improve to 7-9 on the year and 2-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play. With their loss to the Redbirds, the Bears fall to 6-10 on the year and 0-4 in league play.
A balanced offensive effort, that featured four Redbirds with double figures in the kills category, was key in Illinois State's four-set victory over the Bears.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds would go on an 8-1 run early in set one to force a Bears timeout at 8-3. Illinois State remained ahead before Missouri State tied the score at 11-11. As the Birds held the lead until late, Missouri State kept the pressure on and gained momentum with a late 21-20 lead. The Bears scored five of the last six set points to secure the first set victory, 25-21.
The second set saw Illinois State pull ahead early once more, taking an early 9-5 lead, and leading by as many as six (14-9) prior to the media timeout. Out of the break, ISU kept their foot on the pedal, forcing a Bears timeout at 19-14. The Redbird lead did not slip below five the remainder of the set, as ISU finished the set on a 6-3 run for the 25-17 set victory.
The Bears took an early lead in set three before the Redbirds responded to tie the score at 8-8 as the sides went back-and-forth up until the media timeout, with Missouri State leading 15-14. The Bears forced an ISU timeout with a 4-1 run to pull ahead 19-15 before the Birds rallied to knot the score at 20-20 and force a Missouri State timeout. The Birds remained composed throughout the remainder of the set, winning set three 25-21 off a 4-0 run.
In set four, the two sides remained close as Missouri State led through much of the set start before a 9-1 run for ISU built the lead to 19-14 Redbirds. Coming down the stretch, ISU held match point before the Bears responded with two straight points to force a late Redbirds timeout. ISU closed the match with a Caitlyn Little kill for the match victory and 25-21 set four victory.
SET SCORES
Illinois State defeats Missouri State in four sets: 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-21
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Aida Shadewald (17)
Digs: Sammi Bunch (23)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (48)
Service Aces: Caitlyn Little (4)
Total Blocks: Khenedi Guest (4)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
- Illinois State (.250) outhit Missouri State (.208)
- Junior Aida Shadewald tallied her ninth double-double of 2024 (17 kills, 10 digs)
- Four Redbirds tallied double-digit kills (Shadewald, Khenedi Guest, Ruth Ziegler, Little)
- Illinois State wins for the first time in Springfield since October 2021
UP NEXT
Illinois State remains on the road as the Birds head to Carbondale for a meeting with Southern Illinois on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CT. No broadcast will be available for Saturday's match.
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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