By Tim McCaughan
GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State volleyball team closed out its non-conference schedule with a 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19) victory over Eastern Illinois Tuesday night at the ISU Arena.

Kynedi Nalls led the way for the Sycamores with a team high 24 kills and 10 digs in her first double-double of the year. Junior setter Rachel Griffin assisted on 47 of the teams' 52 kills on the night.

Indiana State held its own on the defensive side of the net with five different players recording 10+ digs on the night. Libero Shannon Murphy led the squad with 15 digs while Stephani Bindernagel went for 13.

After dropping the first set to the Panthers (3-14) by a score of 25-19, the Sycamores reeled off three-straight set wins after recording a match low .136 attacking percentage while EIU hit just .186.

Indiana State got the offense going in the second set though as the Sycamores went for a .438 attacking percentage behind seven kills from Nalls and three kills apiece from Damadj Johnson and Rhiannon Morozoff.

The Sycamores (7-7) never looked back as they cruised to the match win. Freshman Paige Hermmen locked things up in the fourth set, as she helped ISU to six-straight points, including three service aces.

Eastern Illinois was led by both Josie Winner and Maria Brown who each finished with 10+ kills. Brown went for a team high 14 kills while winner went for 10 kills.

The Sycamores hit the road for the next four matches as Missouri Valley Conference play continues. The team will head to Normal, Ill. to face Illinois State before finishing off the weekend at Northern Iowa.