Redbird volleyball falls to Northern Iowa in four sets

Posted on November 18, 2016

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – The Illinois State volleyball team won the first set but dropped the next three as visiting Northern Iowa grabbed a 3-1 win over the Redbirds Friday night at Redbird Arena. UNI won by scores of 25-21, 14-25, 14-25, 21-25.

Four Panthers reached double digits in kills, including Piper Thomas, who tallied match-high totals of 17 kills and 10 blocks.

Illinois State (16-13, 9-8 MVC) was led offensively by the trio of Ella Francis, Aly Dawson and Lexi Varga, who tallied eight kills each. Jaelyn Keene added seven kills and five blocks. Jordan Weatherless dished out 25 assists and Courtney Pence collected 19 digs.

Illinois State won a tight opening set that featured 11 tied scores and two lead changes. Neither team had led by more than two points when the Redbirds rattled off three-straight points to take a 23-19 lead. ISU finished off the set moments later when an Ali Line tip fell harmlessly between UNI players.

UNI (22-8, 13-4) bounced back in a big way in the second, leading from beginning to end. Bri Weber and Thomas combined for 12 kills in the set to help the Panthers even the match.

UNI carried momentum into the third set, despite a 6-3 start by the Redbirds. The Panthers answered with a 9-3 lead to build a comfortable lead and never trailed again in the set.

A back-and-forth fourth set came down to the final points after Dawson tied it up at 19-19 with her final kill of the night. The Panthers answered with a 5-1 run, however, to get to set point, and ended the match on Thomas’ 17th kill of the night.

The Redbirds return to action Saturday night in what will be the team’s final home match of the year, against Drake, at 7 p.m. Illinois State’s seniors will be recognized after Saturday’s match as part of Senior Day festivities.

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