TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Illinois State volleyball team won its third match in four days as the Redbirds swept host Indiana State Monday night at ISU Arena. The Redbirds won by scores of 25-23, 25-12, 25-20.
Ella Francis and Jaelyn Keene combined for half of Illinois State's kills as each player finished with 13 on Monday night. Sydney Holt added nine kills. Stef Jankiewicz distributed 43 assists and Courtney Pence led the team in digs with 16.
"Tonight we had a great team effort. Our steady mentality to overcome the deficit in set one was stellar," said Illinois State head coach Leah Johnson. "We felt like we had to win the serve and pass game tonight and I was pleased with how we executed that side of the game."
Indiana State (5-14, 3-4) led for much of the opening set as an early four-point run staked the Sycamores to a 9-6 lead and forced a Redbird timeout. The hosts led by as many as four points, at 16-12, but the Redbirds slowly chipped away at the lead before surging to a 24-22 lead and a set point thanks to a late five-point rally. The Sycamores fought off one set point but the Redbirds claimed the opening set on an Indiana State attacking error moments later. Â
Illinois State (12-9, 5-3) carried momentum into the second set, scoring the first five points and prompting an early Indiana State timeout. The Redbirds continued to grow their lead throughout the set, while Francis tallied seven kills to carry Illinois State to a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Redbirds never trailed in the third set. A lead that ballooned to as many as eight points was whittled down to two at 18-16 by the Sycamores, but the Redbirds matched the hosts the rest of the way, finishing off the win with kills from Keene and Francis.
The Redbirds return home to face Bradley Friday at 7 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets for this Friday's match online at GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, by calling (309) 438-8000, or by visiting the ticket office, located at the north entrance to Redbird Arena.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
