KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, IND. ? The Sycamore volleyball chalked up their third straight victory and their fifth of the season with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-19) victory over the Western Carolina Catamounts in the afternoon session of the ISU/Drury Inn Classic today in the ISU Arena.
Indiana State improved to 5-1 on the season which is the best start since the 2002 team started 5-1. The Sycamores also have not won three straight games since the 2004 season. ISU will close out the tournament against Montana State (4-2) at 7 p.m. (ET) tonight. The Bobcats lost to SIU Edwardsville 3-1 in the first game today. The Cougars of SIUE (2-3) will meet Western Carolina (2-3) at 4:30 p.m. today.
Morgan Dall continued her outstanding play, knocking down 13 kills in hitting .296 for the game. Loni Mackinson had 29 assists and Kiya James had 11 digs. Shea Doran led the team in blocks with five.
The Sycamores had a tough battle in the opening set but were able to break away from an 18-all tie on the strength of kills by Dall and Auriel Armstrong. Indiana State was able to hold off the Catamounts the rest of the way and closed out the 25-22 win with another Dall kill.
Indiana State dominated the next two sets to earn the victory. The Sycamores took control early in the second set and cruised to a 25-13 win but struggled a big in the third set before regaining control late and posting a 25-19 victory.
