Redbirds fall in straight sets at Southern Illinois

Posted on November 13, 2015
AshleyRosch
The Redbirds fell to SIU in straight sets. (goredbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team was swept by host Southern Illinois Friday night as the Salukis avenged last month’s five-set loss at Redbird Arena. The Salukis won by scores of 25-20, 25-19, 25-22, as sophomore outside hitter Andrea Estrada posted a match-high 24 kills.

Ashley Rosch led the Redbirds with a team-high 14 kills. Ali Line collected nine kills, while Jaelyn Keene chipped in seven kills and a match-high six blocks, including thee solos. Jordan Weatherless dished out 24 assists and Courtney Pence registered a team-high 10 digs.
“This was a tough night for us, especially defensively,” said Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers. “Estrada was on fire and we didn’t have an answer. When we did get a dig, we just couldn’t convert.”

Illinois State (20-9, 10-6 MVC) shot out to an 8-4 lead early in the first set, but the host Salukis slowly chipped away at the lead, tying the score at 13-13. Southern Illinois (21-7, 12-3) finished the set strong, ending on a 10-5 run to win the first set.

Southern Illinois used a 6-1 run early in the second set to maintain the momentum it built in the first set. The hosts led by as many as eight points before the Redbirds whittled it down to five, at 19-14, forcing a Southern Illinois timeout. The Salukis matched the Redbirds point-for-point from there, however, to take a 2-0 lead into the break.

Southern Illinois benefitted from another 6-1 run early in the third set. The Redbirds kept it close, eventually tying the score at 18-18, but Southern Illinois finished on a 7-4 run, closing it out with Estrada’s 24th kill of the match.

Illinois State is back in action Saturday night at Evansville. First serve is set for 6 p.m.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…