PEORIA, Ill. – In a back-and-forth match that saw Arianna Rossi record the second-highest dig total in the NCAA this season, the Illinois State volleyball squad fell in five sets on Saturday evening 22-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-21, 8-15.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Set (22-25): The Braves started strong out of the gate, scoring the first six points of the set – three on service aces – as Bradley jumped out to a lead of as many as 10 points at 18-8. From there the Redbirds started a comeback, using runs of 4-0 and 5-0 to climb back within as few as one point at 21-20; however, the visitors could not overcome the full deficit in the narrow three-point set loss.

Second Set (25-22): Illinois State ran out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, and never trailed in the frame, despite Bradley answering back with an immediate 3-0 run of their own. The Brave push was matched by a second 3-0 ISU run; however, despite never trailing in the set, ISU's largest lead would only grow to as much as five at 16-11. Bradley clawed back, closing to within one at 23-22 before the Birds closed the set with an Aida Shadewald kill and a combo block from Khenedi Guest and Caitlyn Little.

Third Set (18-25): The Redbirds and Braves traded short runs through the early portion of the third set, with a 3-0 ISU run pushing the visitors ahead 8-5. The lead grew to as many five points at 14-9 before the hosts scored six of the next seven points to take their first lead of the set at 16-15. Bradley carried its newfound momentum through the end of the set, taking the third frame by a 25-18 score.

Fourth Set (25-21): In a tightly-contested fourth set, Bradley jumped out to an early 4-1 lead; however, ISU ran off three consecutive points, and then used a 6-0 run to stretch its lead to 11-6. Bradley fought back, tying the match at 21; however, ISU scored four times in a row to close the set, including a frame-ending combo block from Little and Guest.

Fifth Set (8-15): Bradley jumped ahead quickly in the fifth set, leading 8-2 as the switched benches mid-set. The Redbirds fought back, closing to within four points, but could not close out the deficit in the 15-8 final set.

KEY STATISTICS

• Arianna Rossi set a new career-high with 39 digs, nine of which came in the first set, and she added 12 more in the second frame
  • The total is the second-most in a match in the NCAA this season, and tied for the eighth-highest single-match total in program history
  • Her eight assists also tied a career-high, which she set during her time at Southern Utah
• After setting a career-high with 10 blocks a night earlier against Indiana State, Guest had six in the match against the Braves, while adding a season-high 13 kills
  • Her kill total is her fourth match this season with double-digit kills
• Caitlyn Little had a team-high 15 kills for her sixth double-digit kill effort this season, and the fifth in her last seven matches
• Ruth Ziegler had 11 kills for ISU, her third match this season with double-digit kills this season
• Hannah Reichensperger's seven digs are a season-high and tie her career-best set on November 16, 2024
• Aida Shadewald, in her first weekend back in action since suffering an injury in August, had 12 digs for the Redbirds, her second double-digit kill effort of the season, to go along with seven kills
• Ella Craggs recorded her third double-double of the season with 22 assists and 10 digs
• Audrey Clark dished out 24 assists, her third-highest total in a match this season, while also tying a career-high with nine digs

NEXT UP

After playing their last five games on the road, the Redbirds return home to CEFCU Arena on October 2 and 3, as the Birds host UIC on Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by a Friday evening battle with the Valparaiso Crusaders, also at 6 p.m.