TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State volleyball team kicked off the 2014 season with convincing 3-0 sweeps over Wright State (25-13, 25-19, 25-19) and Akron (25-18, 25-13, 25-14) at the Holiday Inn Classic at ISU Arena Friday. ISU improves to 2-0 on the young season.
Sophomore outside hitter Bree Spangler and middle blocker Kynedi Nalls both recorded back-to-back double-digit kill performances while a duo of freshman started both matches in the back row for ISU.
The Sycamores opened the 2014 season with an afternoon victory over Wright State in straight sets. Spangler notched a double-double with 11 kill and 10 digs while Nalls led with 12 kills and a .611 hitting percentage.
A pair of freshmen made its way into the starting lineup for ISU. Freshman libero Stephanie Bindernagel recorded the first two starts of her young career, tallying nine digs in both wins. Freshman defensive specialist Danielle Waedekin also added 15 total digs on the day.
ISU took a commanding lead mid-way through the first set against Wright State as ISU rattled off five straight points en route to a 25-13 win in the opening set of 2014. They continued to cruise through the final two sets, winning both 25-19.
Spangler helped lift ISU in set two, recorded four kills two digs and two blocks. She added three total blocks in the effort while junior setter Erika Nord dished out 37 assists. As a team, ISU hit .367, including a .500 effort in set one.
ISU also held Wright State to a .190 hitting percentage in the match, as the Raiders also committed 12 service errors.
In the nightcap, ISU got double-digit kill efforts from Spangler (12, .346), Nalls (10, .600) and junior middle blocker Cassandra Willis (12) making quick work of the Zips (0-2). Willis led the match with a .625 hitting percentage while also recording four blocks.
Five different ISU players also notched five or more kills led by Bindernagel withnine. Willis and Senior middle blocker Kyla Thomas each added four blocks apiece.
In set two, the Zips came out firing but an eight point run by Bindernagel, who recorded three aces during the stretch, helped ISU get ahead and closed out the victory, 25-13.
The Sycamores will wrap up action in tomorrow's tournament beginning with Chicago State at 1 p.m. followed by North Carolina A&T in the finale at 7 p.m.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
