KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, IND. ? The Indiana State volleyball team looked like they would make quick work of SIU Edwardsville Friday night in the ISU Arena but the Cougars had other plans. The Sycamores jumped out to a quick 2-0 set lead but then dropped the next two sets and had to rally in the fifth set to pull out the 3-2 victory (25-15, 25-19, 24-26, 18-25, 16-14).
The victory lifts Indiana State to 4-1 on the season. The Sycamores will take on Western Carolina (2-2), a 3-2 loser to Montana State in the opening game Friday, at 1 p.m. Saturday. SIU Edwardsville (1-3) will take on Montana State (4-1) in the opening game at 10 a.m. (ET) Saturday.
The tournament wraps up with Western Carolina playing SIU Edwardsville at 4:30 p.m. Saturday with Indiana State going up against Montana State at 7 p.m. (ET). The all-tournament team announcement and trophy presentation will be held at approximately 9 p.m. (ET).
Morgan Dall paced the Sycamore attack and posted her second straight double-double with 17 kills and 12 digs. Auriel Armstrong had 14 kills and Ana Maira Charun 11. Loni Mackinson led in assists with a career high 45 while Kiya James had 29 digs. Armstrong also had five blocks on the night with Shea Doran blocking four.
The Sycamores broke a 5-all tie early in the opening set with a 5-0 run to take the lead for good at 12-6. The Cougars would not get any closer than five the rest of the way as Indiana State took the first set 25-15. ISU was able to break a 14-all tie late in the second set and outscored SIUE 11-5 down the stretch to go up 2 sets to none with a 25-19 victory.
After taking an early 5-1 lead in the third set, the Sycamores lost their momentum and trailed 23-19 late in the third set. A pair of Armstrong kills and one from Dall helped lift Indiana State back in front by one but SIUE took control after that and was able to pick up the win 26-24. Indiana State was never able to get going in the fourth set as the Cougars evened up the game at 2-sets each with a 25-18 victory.
The up and down battle that was featured through the first four sets was condensed in dramatic fashion in the fifth set. Both teams took opportunities to move in front but neither team could hold the advantage. The Sycamores showed their determination, however, as Armstrong tied the set up for the final time at 14-all with a kill and Loni Mackinson game ISU the lead for good with a service ace. Indiana State picked up the win off an SIUE error to win the set 16-14.
