NORMAL, Ill. – Indiana State volleyball's season came to an end on Thursday afternoon inside Redbird Arena after falling to top-seed Illinois State in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
 
Despite the loss, the Sycamores (7-13, 7-11 MVC) ended the year with their best season since the 2017 campaign, the last time that the Blue & White made an appearance in the MVC Tournament. Indiana State also managed to pick-up victories over each of the top-three teams from the preseason poll.
 
Offensively, freshman Mallory Keller led the charge for the Trees with eight of the team's 34 kills to go along with a dig. Madeline Williams ended her day with six kills while sophomore Taylor Shelton recorded with five of her own. The Redbirds (14-5, 11-3 MVC) held a 51-34 advantage overall in kills.
 
Mary Hannah Lewis and Chloe Mason split the load in the setting game, with Lewis tallying a team-high 14 assists with Mason adding 13. Defensively, Lewis added eight digs in addition to her assists.
 
On the defensive side of the net, Illinois State held a 60-42 advantage in total digs. Shelton was the lone Sycamore to record 10 digs, getting down for 10 total. Ashley Eck, Melina Tedrow and Lewis all tallied eight digs of their own. At the net, Williams sent back two block assists to lead the Trees as ISU ended with three total blocks.
 
The Sycamores defied expectations during the spring 2021 season that faced its own unique challenges due to COVID-19. Picked to finish last in the Valley, Indiana State managed to claim eighth and make their first postseason appearance since 2017.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.