By ISU Sports Information
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Illinois State volleyball team was topped by host Miami in straight sets on the first day of the Hurricane Invitational Friday at the James L. Knight Sports Complex.
The Hurricanes won by scores of 25-23, 25-19, 25-17.
Lexi Varga led the Redbirds with nine kills, while Ashley Rosch added eight more in the loss. Jacqueline Twing dished out 17 assists and Courtney Pence chipped in nine digs and six assists.
Miami got a standout performance from sophomore outside hitter Olga Strantzali, who racked up 15 kills, on a .542 hitting percentage, to go with five aces and six digs.
“This was a challenging, but good, start for us,” said Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers. “Olga was the difference in the first two sets. She helped create a spread opportunity at the end line. That kept the pressure on us and gave them confidence. Miami was experienced, tough, and made us better tonight.”
Miami (1-0) used a 6-1 run late in the first set to get to match point. Illinois State (0-1) rattled off four-straight points to get within one at 24-23, but the tournament hosts claimed the set with a Kelsie Groot kill on the next point.
The Redbirds shot out to a 5-1 lead to begin the second set, only to see Miami surge ahead with an 8-2 binge. The run gave the hosts a lead they did not relent the rest of the set.
Illinois State held another early lead in the third set, at 7-3, but the Hurricanes eventually tied it up at 7-7 and never trailed again. Miami took a 15-11 lead into the media timeout and outscored the Redbirds 10-6 the rest of the way to win in straight sets.
The Redbirds are back in action Saturday with two more matches at the Hurricane Invitational. Illinois State will take on Kansas State at 9:30 a.m. CT and Florida A&M at 4:30 p.m. CT.
