ISU volleyball falls to SIU in battle of first-place teams

Posted on October 9, 2016
The Rebirds fell to Southerin Illinois University yesterday (WJBC File Photo)
The Rebirds fell to Southern Illinois University yesterday (WJBC File Photo)

 

CARBONDALE  – In a battle of teams tied for the Missouri Valley Conference lead, the Illinois State volleyball team fell to host Southern Illinois Saturday night in four sets at Davies Gym. Southern Illinois won by scores of 25-17, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18.

Jaelyn Keene led the Redbirds (12-7, 5-2 MVC) with 11 kills, while Aly Dawson, Lexi Wallen and Lexi Varga chipped in nine each. Jacqueline Twing and Jordan Weatherless combined for 40 assists, while Courtney Pence led the Redbirds with 20 digs.

“Although we made some great plays at times in this match, we were too inconsistent and too high-error, overall,” said Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers. “We didn’t take advantage of some opportunities that would have kept the match tighter.

“We had a challenge this week with three road matches and it’s disappointing to come out 1-2. We’ll need to get back in the gym next week and prepare for the final two teams in the first half.”

Southern Illinois (15-6, 6-1) took control of the first set, scoring four-straight points to break an 8-8 deadlock. The Redbirds got back within one point at 17-16, but the Salukis scored six-straight points to finish off the set and take an early lead in the match.

Neither team led by more than a point in the second set until after the media timeout, at which point Illinois State led 15-14. The Salukis scored eight-straight points out of the timeout to take a commanding lead. SIU got to a set point moments later, and after ISU fought off two, the hosts converted on set point to take a 2-0 lead into the break.

A close third set turned on Illinois State’s 5-0 run to break a 17-17 tie, prompting Southern Illinois to use both of its timeouts. The Salukis fought off a pair of set points before Keene sent the match to a fourth set with her 10th kill of the match.

Southern Illinois led wire-to-wire in the fourth set. A 5-1 run midway through the set gave the Salukis a 15-7 lead the Redbirds were never able to recover from.

The Redbirds return home next weekend with a pair of Valley matches, first against Missouri State at 7 p.m. Friday, before a 1 p.m. tilt with Wichita State on Sunday.

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