By ISU Sports Information
DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake’s strong block presence and rash of Illinois State errors helped the host Bulldogs to a three-set win over the visiting Redbirds Monday night at the Knapp Center. Drake won by scores of 25-22, 25-20, 25-20.
Drake (11-8, 2-3 MVC) tallied 12 blocks in the match, while Illinois State committed 24 attacking errors in the Missouri Valley Conference match, the team’s highest total in a three-set match this season. The loss snapped Illinois State’s eight-match winning streak.
Illinois State (11-6, 4-1) was led by Jaelyn Keene’s match-high 17 kills. Jordan Weatherless dished out 23 assists, while matching a career high with seven kills. Courtney Pence led all players with 16 digs.
“This was a tough one for us tonight. Drake played hard and was strong defensively. We struggled to score points and get into any sort of rhythm,” said Illinois State coach Melissa Myers. “This match is a great opportunity for us to reflect and get better. It’s still early and there’s a lot of Valley play remaining.”
Neither team led by more than three points in a very close first set. The Redbirds took a 22-20 lead late, forcing Drake’s second timeout of the set, but the Bulldogs scored the next five points, including the final two on Kyla Inderski kills, to claim the first set.
Illinois State got off to a good start in the second set, but the Bulldogs turned a four-point deficit into a four-point lead with an 8-0 run early. The Redbirds came back to within a point at 20-19, only to see Drake score five of the next six points to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Drake then carried momentum into the third set, running out to an 11-3 lead, which the Redbirds were never able to overcome. Illinois State whittled the lead down to just three points at 18-15, but the Bulldogs matched the Redbirds point-for-point the rest of the way to earn the sweep.
The Redbirds return to action this weekend with road matches at Evansville on Friday and Southern Illinois on Saturday. Both are set for 7 p.m. starts.
