TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State's 2003 Volleyball team never beat Southern Illinois. When they reunited at ISU Arena Saturday night 15 years after their notable season, they finally saw the Salukis fall.
 
Laura Gross put down 14 kills, Cassie Kawa added 12 and the 2018 Sycamores claimed their first conference win with a 3-0 sweep of Southern Illinois.
 
But it didn't come easy. Indiana State (8-11, 1-6 Missouri Valley) went to extra points to claim an opening set win for the second straight match, ISU had to rally from an 23-20 deficit in the final set, going on a 5-0 run to clinch the set and the match. Set scores were 35-33, 25-20 and 25-23.
 
Gross (14 kills, 17 digs) and Melina Tedrow (42 assists, 22 digs) each posted double-doubles in the match while Jade York added another 16 digs. The Sycamore defense tallied 13 total blocks, more than double of the six by Southern Illinois (4-15, 0-6).
 
Maggie Dedoma led SIU with 14 kills.
 
SET 1 – Indiana State 35, Southern Illinois 33

• There were a total of 11 set points in the frame, seven for Indiana State and four for SIU.
• ISU was led by Laura Gross and Nikkie White, each posting five kills.
• Six of Indiana State's 13 blocks came in the opening set.
• SIU's Maggie Nedoma put down 10 of her 14 kills in the first set.
• The set featured 19 ties and 11 lead changes.

SET 2 – Indiana State 25, Southern Illinois 20

• Indiana State never trailed in the set.
• The Sycamores led by as much as seven (18-11) before SIU cut the lead down to one (19-18).
• Cassie Kawa led ISU with five kills while Laura Gross and Nikkie White each added four.
• The Trees hit .371 in the frame compared to SIU's .179.

SET 3 – Indiana State 25, Southern Illinois 23

• After the 3-2 mark early on, Indiana State did not lead again until the 24-23 mark.
• The Sycamores trailed 23-20 before going on a 5-0 run to clinch the set and the match.
• Laura Gross led ISU with five kills in the set while Madeline Williams led with three block assists.

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 19-50 all-time against SIU. The Sycamores have now won two of the last three meetings.
• This marks the first time Indiana State has swept Southern Illinois in straight sets since 2001.
• Melina Tedrow recorded her second career double-double (42 assists, 22 digs).
• Laura Gross recorded her 32^nd career double-double (14 kills, 17 digs).
• The 13 total blocks by the Sycamores are the most for the Trees since Sept. 7 (15.5 blocks vs. Green Bay).
• This match marks Indiana State's first 3-0 win since Sept. 1 (3-0 vs. Winthrop).
• ISU hit .192 in the match marking only the second win this year when hitting under .200.

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