Redbird Volleyball Falls to UNI in MVC Tournament Semifinals
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa. – In a back-and-forth battle for the right to play for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title, No. 4 seed Illinois State came up just short against host Northern Iowa in a three-set decision on Monday.
SET SCORES
Illinois State falls to UNI in three sets: 13-25, 19-25, 16-25
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1
Illinois State got on the board first on an error from the Panthers, but then quickly saw the score tied up 1-1 on a UNI kill. The Birds and Bears would continue to battle back-and-forth as the Panthers slowly pulled ahead, leading by as many as five on multiple occasions. Ahead 17-13, UNI would end the first set on a 8-0 run to take the first set, 25-13.
Set 2
Set two began with the teams trading points back-and-forth once more as there would be 11 ties through the first 30 set points. With the score knotted at 15-15, the match remained a one-point score until UNI used back-to-back Redbird errors to lead by three at 20-17. The margin did not slip below three as the Panthers closed out set two, coming away with the 25-19 victory.
Set 3
UNI would use an early 6-0 run to take an 8-2 advantage in set three and led the rest of the way. Illinois State was able to trim the deficit to five, but the Panthers remained in control and eventually blew the lead to as many as 13 at 19-6. The Redbirds responded to make it a six-point game, thanks to a 9-0 run of their own, to see the score read 22-16. However, it would not be enough as UNI scored the final three points to take the match and set three, 25-16.
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Caitlyn Little (8)
Digs: Sammi Bunch (13)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (22)
Service Aces: Mekaila Aupiu (3)
Total Blocks: Khenedi Guest (3)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
- Illinois State (.175) was outhit by UNI (.375)
- Illinois State ends the 2024 season with an overall record of 17-16 and 11-7 in MVC play
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