Illinois State takes down Missouri State in straight sets

Posted on October 25, 2015

LexiVargaBy ISU Sports Information

NORMAL- The Illinois State volleyball team (17-7, 7-4 MVC) defeated Missouri State (15-8, 6-4) in three sets on Saturday night inside Redbird Arena. Ashley Rosch led the Redbirds with 15 kills and 5 digs.

Jaelyn Keene tallied a total of four assisted blocks and 12 kills.

Lexi Varga recorded 14 kills and three assisted blocks. Ali Line had the only solo block of the night for both teams. Jordan Weatherless dished out a match-high of 44 assist.

The Redbirds took a 7-2 lead, forcing the Bears to take a timeout. Out of the break, Missouri State got the point, but Illinois State maintained momentum and took a 10-4 advantage. Four-straight points by ISU gave the Redbirds a 10-point lead, 15-5. MSU tried to battle back, scoring four-straight, but it wasn?t enough, as ISU won the first set, 25-18. Varga led all hitters with six kills in the opening set, tallying six points.

Illinois State jumped out to a 9-3 lead to begin the second set with Varga leading the way. Varga had three-straight kills, as ISU took its six-point advantage. At the 14-6 mark, Missouri State used a timeout, but the Redbirds grabbed another 10-point lead, 20-10, shortly after.

ISU maintained the momentum late in the set, scoring the final four points to win the second set, 25-11. Varga led all hitters for the second-straight set with six kills, while Rosch added five. Varga led the team with seven points.

ISU took a four-point lead early in the third set, but MSU was able to cut the lead to one, 12-11. Then, back-to-back kills by Keene increased the Redbird lead to four, 18-14, but the Bears fought back and tied the match, 22-22. Missouri State took a 24-22 advantage, but Illinois State tied the match at 24-24. After a several tied scores, the Redbirds scratched out a 32-30 win in the third set. Keene and Rosch led ISU at the net with six kills apiece in the third set.

ISU returns to the road, as it travels to Northern Iowa and Drake next weekend.

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