Ace Hunt

GoSycamores.com

CHARLESTON, W.V. -- Indiana State earned a decisive sweep over Morehead State in their second game on Friday as part of the 2016 West Virginia Capital Classic, hosted by Marshall. The Sycamores won in straight sets by the scores of 25-17, 25-17, 25-16.

Indiana State improved to 3-2 on the young season while Morehead State fell to 2-3. The Sycamores split a pair of matches on the day after falling earlier to Big 12 foe West Virginia in five sets.

Kynedi Nalls led the way with 11 kills. Melody Burdette posted a sparkling attack percentage of .417. Rachel Griffin was credited with 27 assists as she led the Sycamores offensive attack. Defensively, the Sycamores received 17 digs from Stephanie Bindernagel while Damadj Johnson had 2.5 blocks.

The Sycamores posted six service aces in the contest, with Bindernagel leading the way with four. Indiana State's attack percentage was .140 for the match while they limited Morehead State to a -.047 mark. 

Indiana State trailed by as many as three points early in the first set before a Cassie Kawa kill staked the Sycamores to their first lead at 10-9. Morehead State took a brief 13-12 lead before Indiana State rattled off four consecutive points to take a 16-13 edge on a Burdette kill. They then took advantage of MSU attack errors to score four in a row to lead 22-15. The Sycamores scored the final two points of the first set to win 25-17.

The Sycamores took control of the second set early by going on a 5-0 run to lead 9-3 out of the gate. Morehead State would battle back to get within three points but the Sycamores then scored three points in a row to stretch the advantage out to 15-9. Sarah Peterson closed out the set with a kill for the 25-17 win.

MSU scored first in the third set but Indiana State responded with eight points in a row capped by two Bindernagel service aces in a row for the 8-1 lead. Consecutive kills by Griffin and Burdette put the Sycamores ahead comfortably at 17-6. Kawa's kill late in the set got the Sycamores within striking distance of a win before Peterson won the match with a kill for the 25-16 decision.

Merideth Jewell led the way for Morehead State with seven kills.

Indiana State finishes play in the Capital Classic on Saturday at 1 p.m. (ET) when they take on host Marshall.