TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Illinois State volleyball jumped back in the win column Saturday night with a three-set win at Indiana State.
The Redbirds improve to 12-14 on the year and 7-6 in Missouri Valley Conference play. With the loss, the Sycamores fall to 4-21 on the year and 1-12 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State defeats Indiana State in three sets: 25-13, 25-15, 25-19
Set 1
In set one, the two sides would remain close before Illinois State pulled ahead off a 4-0 run to lead 9-4 as the Sycamores called timeout. The Redbirds would remain hot out of the break, scoring six straight to take a 17-8 advantage as Indiana State called timeout once more. Back-to-back errors from the Sycamores gave ILS a 25-13 set one win.
Set 2
The Redbirds jumped out to an early lead in set two and led by as many as six, thanks a 4-0 run, to pull ahead 9-3. The Redbirds kept the pressure on as they would not trail the rest of the way, leading by as many as eight before closing the set with a Khenedi Guest block for the 25-15 set two victory.
Set 3
In the third set, the score would remain tight at the beginning as neither team led by more than two prior to the score being tied 10-10. The Sycamores scored three of the next four points to take a 13-11 lead for their first lead of the entire match as the Birds called timeout. Out of the break, Illinois State responded to retake the lead and force a Sycamore timeout at 18-16. Down the stretch, Indiana State would trim the margin to one, but the comeback attempt would fall short as the Redbirds took set three, 25-19, for the sweep.
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Oliwia Caputa (11)
Digs: Sammi Bunch (21)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (34)
Service Aces: Three players (1)
Total Blocks: Khenedi Guest (8)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
- Illinois State (.265) outhit Indiana State (.036)
- Freshman Khenedi Guest ties a career high in blocks with eight
- Saturday marks the third straight road win for the Redbirds over the Sycamores
UP NEXT
Illinois State returns home to CEFCU Arena to host Southern Illinois and Missouri State next Friday and Saturday. Saturday will also serve as Senior Night for the Redbirds.
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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