KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
The Sycamores had three players who recorded double-doubles on the night but it was not enough. Senior outside hitter Morgan Dall led the way with 22 kills and 12 digs. Freshman Bree Spangler had 11 kills and 12 digs while senior setter Loni Mackinson had 46 set assists and 14 digs. Senior libero Molly Murphy led the defense with 27 digs while junior middle blocker Kyla Thomas had three solo blocks and a block assist.
Bradley scored the first four points of the opening set and the Sycamores had to play catch up the rest of the way. The Braves had their biggest lead at 9-1 before Indiana State fought back to trail 19-15 after a Bree Spangler kill. Dall and Thomas kept the Sycamores within three with kills but the Braves were able to hold on to take the opening set 25-21.
The second set started more positive for Indiana State as the Sycamores built a 6-3 advantage. Indiana State was able to keep the advantage until Bradley broke away from a 21-all tie with two straight points. A Swigart kill brought Indiana State to within two but the Braves scored the final two points for the 25-22 set win.
The Sycamores dominated the third set, breaking away from a 2-all tie with four straight points and never looked back. Victoria Swigart had four kills in the set and Kyla Thomas three including the set winner as Indiana State took the 25-14 set win.
As much as Indiana State dominated the third set, Bradley dominated the fourth set. The Braves never trailed and defeated the Sycamores 25-13 to take the game three sets to one.
The Sycamores fall to 11-13 overall and 4-8 in the Valley with the loss. Indiana State will be on the road next weekend as they visit Wichita State and Missouri State. Bradley improved to 12-10 overall and 6-7 in the Valley.
