TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – For a moment, it looked like the rally was going to play out. Trailing 2-1 in the match, Indiana State won the fourth set. Trialing by four early in the final set, the Sycamores held a 13-11 lead. But Central Michigan went on a 5-1 to end the match and claim a 3-2 decision Saturday at ISU as part of the Sycamore Invitational.
 
Indiana State (5-3) fell prey to the same game-ending rally – a fifth-set run that decided the match – that resulted in a Sycamore win over Green Bay Friday evening. But this time it was Central Michigan (3-6) ending a four-match losing streak and stunning the home crowd.
 
The Sycamores had three players reach double digits in kills while Laura Gross posted a double-double for the fifth consecutive match while ISU registered 11 blocks to Central Michigan's six. However, the Chippewas tallied 17 more digs with four players in double digits in the win.
 
The loss forced an ISU win in Saturday's tournament finale against Saint Louis (1-7) if Indiana State wishes to claim the tournament crown.
 
SET 1 – Indiana State 25, Central Michigan 17

• The Sycamores never trailed, hitting .250 to CMU's .125.
• Damadj Johnson posted four kills.
• CMU's Kaline Smith registered six kills.
• The Chippewas had five service errors with no aces.

SET 2 – Central Michigan 27, Indiana State 25

• The closest set of the match, featuring 12 ties and five lead changes.
• ISU led 25-24 before Central Michigan rallied off three straight points for the win.
• Damadj Johnson, Laura Gross and Nikkie White all led ISU with three kills.

SET 3 – Central Michigan 25, Indiana State 20

• CMU led by as many as 11 (18-7) before ISU rallied back to pull within three at 21-18.
• The Chippewas hit an impressive .344 to Indiana State's .250 in the set.
• Rhiannon Morozoff posted four kills to lead the Sycamores in the set.

SET 4 – Indiana State 25, Central Michigan 20

• Central Michigan again struggled in the serving game with one ace to four errors.
• ISU out hit the Chippewas, .132 to .021.
• Laura Gross led the Sycamores with seven digs.

SET 5 – Central Michigan 16, Indiana State 14

• CMU jumped out to a 5-1 lead before ISU rallied for a 10-7 advantage.
• The Sycamores hit .037 in the set to Central Michigan's .188.
• The Chippewas won five of the last six points to claim the set and the match.

NOTABLES

• Central Michigan now leads the all-time series, 10-2, and has won three straight.
• The 20 service errors by Central Michigan are the most recorded by an Indiana State opponent this season.
• This marked the first time the two teams have played each other in Terre Haute.
• Damadj Johnson now has 222 career block assists, moving into sole possession of eighth all-time at Indiana State.
• With four aces and three service errors, this marked the first time ISU has registered a positive service ration in a match this season.
• Laura Gross registered her 28^th career double-double (13 kills, 19 digs).

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