NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State volleyball (13-15, 8-7 MVC) fell to Missouri State (11-16, 5-10 MVC) in four sets on Saturday night at CEFCU Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State falls to Missouri State in four sets: 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 22-25
Set 1
Illinois State was first on the board as the Redbirds and Bears battled hard to begin set one as a 4-0 run by Missouri State would put the visitors ahead 12-9. Despite the Redbirds pulling within one, Missouri State would not squander the lead. Down the stretch, the Bears would score four of the final six set points to take set one, 25-19.
Set 2
After another back-and-forth start to the set, Missouri State's offense exploded with a timely 8-0 run to grab a strong 12-4 lead. The Redbirds worked to cut into the lead, trimming the margin to four at 16-12, but the Bears remained hot to pull away late. With a 21-17 lead down the stretch, the Bears would hold on and closed the set with three of the final five set points to take set two, 25-20.
Set 3
An early 3-0 run from the Redbirds in the third set allowed ISU to lead at 6-3 as the two sides would battle back-and-forth until Missouri State tied the score at 12-12. From there, the Redbirds once again used a 3-0 run to build the lead out to 15-12 before it was once again tied at 16-16. The teams would once more be even at 21-21 before the Redbirds scored four of the final six set points and take set three, 25-23.
Set 4
The fourth set saw the Bears rush out to an early lead of 8-1 before ISU rallied to make it a tied game at 10-10. The action would go back-and-forth once more before as the Bears looked to close the match, eventually leading at 18-15. However, the Birds remained energized to make it tied again at 20-20, 21-21, and 22-22. Missouri State would close the set with three straight points, taking set four 25-22 for the overall match win.
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills:Â Abby Reck (15)
Digs: Sammi Bunch (17)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (51)
Service Aces: Caitlyn Little (3)
Total Blocks: Mekaila Aupiu (4)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES (vs Murray State)
- Illinois State (.212) was outhit by Missouri State (.277)
- Freshman Oliwia Caputa recorded a 12-kill, 15-assist double double
- Three Redbirds totaled double-digit kills (Reck, Khenedi Guest, Oliwia Caputa)
UP NEXT
Illinois State will look to get back on track next weekend on the road at Belmont and Murray State.
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