Blaine Kinsey
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.—The Indiana State University volleyball team (3-10, 1-2 MVC) came out firing against the Braves of Bradley University (6-7, 0-2 MVC) Friday and never looked back as they grabbed their first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season 3-1.
"All the players really wanted to come out and beat Bradley tonight," head coach Traci Dahl said. "We have always felt like we could do it, we just needed to change a few things and three of our players stepped up."
The Sycamores found themselves down 3-0 to start the first set before a kill by sophomore Kyla Thomas got the Sycamores on the board. The Sycamores rallied and took their first lead at 8-7 off a Bradley error and then took the lead for good at 14-13 off a Bradley error and an ace by senior Shea Doran. The Sycamores went on to win the first set 25-20.
In the second set, the Braves answered the Sycamores call and won a tight 25-22 over Indiana State to tie the match at one set a piece.
The Sycamores used three kills by Doran to jump out to an early 6-1 lead to start the fourth set. The Braves would not go quietly, however, as they cut the Sycamore lead to one at 14-13 but a Bradley error and ace by Doran gave the Sycamores a boost and they went on to win the set 25-20 and took a 2-1 set lead.
Both teams traded points in the fourth set with seven ties and three lead changes. The Sycamores took their first lead at 3-2 off kills by freshmen Cassandra Willis and Victoria Swigart. Neither team had a clear advantage and the Sycamores found themselves tied with the Braves at 20 late in the set. Two kills by senior Christie Fullenkamp and three by Thomas gave the Sycamores a 25-22 set win and their first MVC win of the season at 3-1.
Four Sycamores reached double figure kills with two recording double doubles. Doran led the team in kills with 16 and added 12 digs while Fullenkamp had 15 kills and 15 digs and Thomas added 13 kills.
The Sycamores will continue their home stand Saturday when they host the Panthers of Northern Iowa at 7 p.m. in the ISU Arena.
