Sept. 7, 2010

Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Illinois State (6-2) made quick work of SIU Edwardsville (3-4) with a three-set sweep (25-20, 25-17, 25-19) Tuesday night. Senior Mallory Leggett led ISU for the eighth time on the year with 10 kills.

"Winning in three sets is big after playing three five-set matches last weekend," said head coach Melissa Myers. "I think we could have been a little more efficient and had a few less errors, especially in the third set, but that is something we can work on in practice.

Leggett's 10 kills give her double-digit totals in all eight matches this season. Freshman Shannon McGlaughlin had eight kills and senior Katie Culbertson had five, with both players hitting above .300. Junior Kristin Stauter had 30 set-assists, five kills and two aces.

Illinois State used a 9-1 run to build a 10-5 lead early in the first set. Stauter served consecutive aces to give ISU its first lead and the Redbirds capitalized on four SIUE errors. The Cougars answered with five-straight kills to tie the score, but kills Culbertson and McGlaughlin kept ISU on top. Kills by Leggett, McGlaughlin and senior Hailey Kelley won the set for ISU, 25-20. Even though SIUE had more kills in the first set, 16-13, but committed seven errors. ISU had just two errors and a .324 hitting percentage.

Three kills, three SIUE errors and a McGlaughlin ace put ISU ahead, 7-2, in the second set. Kelley was strong at the net with consecutive blocks to put ISU ahead, 16-11. ISU cruised the rest of the way, leading by as many as seven points, and Culbertson won it with a solo block, 25-17. ISU had just three errors in the second set, while SIUE had 11.

Four-straight points gave the Redbirds a 4-2 lead in the third set that they would not relinquish. With ISU leading by one, the teams traded 13-straight points. Kills by McGlaughlin, Leggett and Stauter gave ISU a 19-15 advantage. Two SIUE errors ended the set, 25-19, and gave ISU the sweep.

Illinois State will take part in the Rams Volleyball Classic Presented by PVHS in Ft. Collins, Colo., this weekend. The Redbirds open play against Northeastern Friday at 5:30 p.m. CDT.

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