By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – After falling behind two sets to one, Illinois State (16-7, 6-4 MVC) battled back to force a fifth set, but ultimately fell to Wichita State (17-6, 8-1 MVC) 17-15 in the final set in front of a large crowd of 2,922 at Redbird Arena Friday night.
Senior Ashley Rosch led the way for the Redbirds with 20 kills in the match, many of which were set up by Jordan Weatherless who finished with 32 assists on the night. Lexi Varga added 13 kills for the Redbirds against the Shockers, and Jaelyn Keene added 12 kills for ISU.
After trading points early in the set, Illinois State took the momentum and scored five straight for a six-point advantage, 15-9. During the run, Keene was a part of three-straight points for the Redbirds, collecting a kill and a pair of blocks. WSU pulled within three, but another ISU run increased its lead to eight, 21-13. Wichita State regrouped and went on a 9-1 run to tie the game, 22-22, but it wasn’t enough as the Redbirds held on and won the set, 25-23. Rosch led the Redbirds with five kills followed by Keene with four. ISU recorded three team blocks compared to WSU’s one.
In the second set, Wichita State took a 14-9 lead, forcing an Illinois State timeout. Then, the Shockers led by seven, 18-11, but the Redbirds battled back and cut the lead to four, 20-16. ISU continued to fight its way back, as it trailed, 24-18, cutting the deficit to two, 24-22. Illinois State ran out of time, as Wichita State won the set, 25-22. Line led the Redbirds with three kills, while Rosch and Varga added two apiece. ISU continued to be strong at the net with three team blocks compared to one for Wichita State.
The third set was tied, 11-11, before ISU took a three-point lead, 14-11, forcing a WSU timeout. The Redbirds increased their lead to five, 17-12, but the Shockers battled back again and tied the match, 17-17. The two teams traded points, but WSU scored two straight to take the third set, 26-24. A trio of Redbirds recorded three kills in the third set, led by Keene with four points.
After several tied scores in the middle of the fourth set, Illinois State took a three-point advantage, 20-17, after recording four-straight points. The Redbirds maintained momentum off of a kill by Lexi Wallen, taking a 24-19 advantage and forcing a Shocker timeout. ISU won the set, 25-19, forcing a fifth set. Rosch led all hitters with seven kills in the fourth set, tallying seven points.
Like most of the match, the two teams exchanged points in the fifth set. Illinois State took a two-point lead, 14-12, off of a Wichita State error, forcing a Shocker timeout. WSU tied the match, 14-14, out of the break. ISU wasn’t able to hang on, as it fell, 17-15, in the fifth set, dropping the match.
The Redbirds return to the court Saturday, as they host Missouri State at 7 p.m.
