Redbird volleyball topped by Wichita State in four sets

Posted on September 27, 2015

By ISU Sports Information

WICHITA, Kan. – The Illinois State volleyball team won the opening set but dropped the next three as host Wichita State claimed a 3-1 win over the Redbirds Saturday night at Charles Koch Arena.

Wichita State won by scores of 25-27, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22.

Aly Dawson and Ashley Rosch tallied 14 kills each, while Lexi Varga added 10 more. Jacqueline Twing dished out 39 assists and Courtney Pence led the Redbirds with 17 digs.

“This was a competitive match with a great atmosphere,” said Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers. “We did some good things that we can definitely build upon, but ultimately, their offense was too effective tonight.”

Illinois State (10-5, 0-2 MVC) won a close first set that featured three lead changes and 15 tied scores. Neither team led by more than three points at any juncture, and although Wichita State fought off a pair of Illinois State set points, the Redbirds cashed in on their third opportunity, sealing the first-set win with an Ali Line kill.

Wichita State (11-5, 2-0 MVC) grabbed an early five-point lead in the second set, but the Redbirds battled back to tie it up at 15-15. Wichita State pushed back ahead by three points at 22-19, but the Redbirds scored four-straight points to take a one-point lead. The Shockers scored the next three points, however, to even the match at one set apiece.

A very close third set also came down to the final points. The Redbirds pushed ahead with a 22-19 lead, but Wichita State scored six of the final seven points to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Wichita State used a nine-point run midway through the fourth set to take control, only to see Illinois State answer with six-straight points to reclaim the lead. The hosts scored five of the next six points, however, to finish off the set and the match.

Illinois State returns to Redbird Arena next weekend for its first Missouri Valley Conference home matches of the season. The Redbirds host Drake Friday and Northern Iowa Saturday. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. starts.

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