KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State volleyball team swept to their first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season Saturday in the ISU Arena as they defeated the visiting Evansville Purple Aces 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 27-25).
This was the five win in the last six games against Evansville for Indiana State and the fourth straight win over the Purple Aces on the home court. The Sycamores improved to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the Valley with the victory.
Sophomore middle blocker Cassandra Willis led the Indiana State with a career game highs of 14 kills and 30 attempts while also posting a team high five blocks. Senior outside hitter Morgan Dall had 13 kills in 37 attempts with sophomore outside hitter Victoria Swigart also posting career game highs of 11 kills and 34 attempts.
Senior setter Loni Mackinson had 40 assists on the night with senior libero Molly Murphy recording 25 digs. Dall also had two service aces on the night.
The Sycamores jumped out to a 4-1 lead early in the opening set but Evansville rallied to tie the score at five, the first of five ties in the set. That was the tone of the game as Indiana State would surge to the lead only to have Evansville rally. The opening set was tied at 21 before a Willis kill and an Evansville error put the Sycamore sup 23-21. Two more Aces errors pushed the Sycamores to the opening set win.
The second set was also tied five times early on before Indiana State pushed their lead to 17-11 on a kill by junior middle blocker Kyla Thomas. After an Evansville time out, the Purple Aces rallied and whittled the Sycamore advantage down to one at 22-21. Willis pushed the lead back to two and added another kill after Evansville had cut the deficit back to one. Swigart sealed the win for Indiana State with a kill off a Mackinson set.
The Sycamores looked to be in control early on in the third set but Evansville remained in striking distance and took their first lead at 18-17. The teams went point-for-point with Swigart tying the set for the final time at 25 with a kill. That was followed by kills from Thomas and Swigart as Indiana State took the win.
The Sycamores will be back on the home court Tuesday as they host the Chicago State Cougars with the first serve at 7 p.m. (ET). Indiana State will then begin a three-game road Valley swing at Illinois State next Friday.
