By ISU Sports Information
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Illinois State volleyball team won the first set but Northern Iowa took the next three as the host Panthers earned a 3-1 win in Missouri Valley Conference play Friday night at the McLeod Center. Northern Iowa won by scores of 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23.
Jaelyn Keene paced the Redbirds with 15 kills on a .500 hitting percentage. Ashley Rosch posted a double-double with 12 kills and 15 digs, while the setting duo of Jacqueline Twing and Jordan Weatherless combined for 45 assists. Courtney Pence led all players with 30 digs, her second-highest total of the season.
“This was a competitive match with great defensive plays on both sides of the court,” said Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers. “UNI was able to capitalize more often.”
Illinois State (17-8, 7-5 MVC) won the opening set thanks to an 8-1 run midway through the set, which turned a two-point deficit into a four-point lead. Kills down the stretch from Keene and Rosch helped the Redbirds take an early lead in the match.
Northern Iowa (14-11, 8-4) built an early lead that reached as many as seven points at 17-10 in the second set. The Redbirds battled back, however, and tied the score at 20-20, but the Panthers won five of the next seven points to even the match at one set apiece.
Neither team led by more than four points in a third set that came down to the wire. Back-to-back points got the Redbirds within two points of the lead at 23-21, forcing a Northern Iowa timeout, but the hosts took advantage of Illinois State errors on the next two points to claim the set.
Northern Iowa had to finish strong to avoid a fifth set, as the Panthers rallied back from a three-point deficit late. The Panthers tied the score at 22-22 and scored three of the final four points to win the match in four sets.
The Redbirds are back in action Saturday night at Drake, and the 7 p.m. match will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
