NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State volleyball (5-9, 0-1 MVC) fell to Murray State (6-4, 1-0 MVC) in its Missouri Valley Conference opener in four sets on Friday night at CEFCU Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State falls to Murray State in four sets: 22-25, 22-25, 25-19, 21-25
Set 1
Illinois State was first on the board as the Redbirds held on to an early lead and would not trail heading into the media timeout, leading 15-11. The Redbirds kept their lead out of the timeout, pushing the lead to as many as five before Murray State responded to take a late lead at 22-20 with a 5-0 run. From there, the Racers never let up, taking set one by a final of 25-22.
Set 2
After another back-and-forth start to the set, Illinois State would once more build out an early lead with a 6-0 run to make it 11-8. However, the score would soon be tied back up as the Racers and Redbirds traded point-for-point before a 5-0 run by the Racers made it 19-14. The set continued to be back-and-forth as Murray State pulled out the 25-22 set win for a 2-0 match lead.
Set 3
A trio of 3-0 runs from the Redbirds in the third set allowed ISU to lead at 12-8 before Murray State would tie the score at 12-12. The Redbirds would remain in the lead the rest of the set, leading by as many as four heading down the stretch. Despite Murray State trimming the lead to only one, Illinois State remained unfazed in the closing moments to close the set on a 6-1 run and take set three, 25-19.
Set 4
The fourth set saw the Racers rush out to an early lead of as many as four before ISU rallied to make it a one-point match. The lead would go back-and-forth once more before the Birds pulled ahead thanks to a 3-0 run to lead 18-16. Murray State finished the match on a 9-3 run, including scoring the final four points, to take the 25-21 set four win and overall match victory.
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS (vs Murray State)
Kills: Aida Shadewald (19)
Digs: Madison Smith (13)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (46)
Service Aces: Four players (1)
Total Blocks: Khenedi Guest (7)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES (vs Murray State)
- Illinois State (.206) was outhit by Murray State (.250)
- Sophomore Abby Reck made her Redbird debut Friday night.
- Three Redbirds totaled double-digit kills (Shadewald, Ruth Ziegler, Guest)
UP NEXT
Illinois State will look to get back on track versus Belmont tomorrow night, September 28, at 7:30 p.m. inside CEFCU Arena.
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