NORMAL, Ill. -- Missouri State’s three-match Missouri Valley Conference volleyball winning streak was snapped by Illinois State Friday as the Redbirds defeated the Bears by scores of 25-22, 25-23 and 25-20 at ISU Arena in Normal, Ill.
Illinois State (14-9, 4-6 MVC) used big runs in the first and third sets to secure wins, and grinded out the victory in the second set for its first triumph over the Bears (16-5, 7-3) since 2007.
In the first set, it was a 10-2 Illinois State run that turned a 15-10 deficit into a 20-17 advantage for the Redbirds. The Bears started off hot with six kills and an ace to build a 7-4 lead, and pushed the advantage to five points before the ISU run. MSU pulled to 20-19 and then tied at 22-22, but the Redbirds fired back with three consecutive kills to close it out.
The teams exchanged big runs to open the second set, with ISU leading 4-0 and the Bears turning the tables with an 8-2 spurt to lead 8-6. After that, the set got tight and was tied seven times before the Redbirds went on a 3-0 run to lead 19-16. Six sideouts followed when the Bears held serve on an ISU attack error to pull to 22-21, but the Redbirds were able to side out from there for the two-point win.
The Redbirds used a 12-2 run to all but clinch the third set, coming back from 9-7 down to lead 19-11. Missouri State went on a 5-0 run from there to cut the ISU lead to three points, and then went on another 3-0 run after the Redbirds pulled back ahead 21-16 to get within 21-19, but the earlier ISU run proved to be too much as the home team held on.
Illinois State, the MVC’s leader in service aces, landed seven against the Bears, the most surrendered by MSU this season. The Redbirds also out-hit Missouri State .189-.167.
Freshman
Christine McCartney led all players with 15 kills, though none of her teammates finished with more than seven.
Abby Padlock had 20 digs and MSU’s lone ace, and
Calli Norman had a part in half the Bears’ eight blocks.
The Bears continue their three-match road trip Saturday at Indiana State (9-14, 1-9). First serve is set for 6 p.m. Central.
