EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Strong performances from its middle hitters helped the Illinois State volleyball team to a straight-sets win over Evansville Saturday night at Meeks Family Court. Illinois State won by scores of 25-22, 25-18, 25-21.
Big nights from Jaelyn Keene and Ali Line propelled the Redbirds to victory. Keene led all players with 14 kills and Line matched a career high with 11 kills. Keene posted a .458 hitting percentage, while Line posted a .500 mark.
Aly Dawson and Ashley Rosch added eight and nine kills, respectively, and setter Jacqueline Twing posted a double-double with 37 assists and 13 digs. Courtney Pence led all players Friday with 19 digs.
“Overall, we had a much better defensive effort tonight,” said Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers. “Courtney was on and kept us in system much of the match, which allowed us to get Jaelyn and Ali going.”
Illinois State (21-9, 11-6 MVC) and Evansville (8-22, 2-14) traded leads early in the first set, before Illinois State pulled away by breaking a 13-13 tie with four-straight points. The Redbirds appeared to be cruising to a first-set win when Evansville fought off five-straight set points, but Line ended the Purple Aces’ run with a set-clinching kill.
The Redbirds made their run earlier in the second set, using a seven-point binge that featured three kills from Line, to take a 12-4 lead. Illinois State matched Evansville point-for-point to finish off the second set and take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
The Redbirds finished off the sweep in the third set, using a 7-2 run down the stretch to pull away. Keene had four kills during the run and Line scored the set- and match-winner moments later with her 11th kill.
Illinois State returns to Redbird Arena for its regular-season and home finale on Friday when it hosts Indiana State at 7 p.m
