TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State volleyball used a dominant performance to make it six wins in-a-row, blanking over-the-border rival, Eastern Illinois, 3-0 (25-10, 25-10, 25-15) on Friday evening.
 
The Sycamores' (7-2, 0-0 MVC) six-consecutive victories are the tied for the third-longest streak in school history and is the longest since the 1982 season when ISU won 14-straight and finished the year 37-10.
 
Using consistent play across the board, the Blue & White held a statistical advantage in every major category. Offensively, Karinna Gall and Kaitlyn Hamilton led the way with eight kills each, helping ISU to a 32-20 cushion over the Panthers (7-2, 0-0 OVC). Indiana State also out-hit the opposition, hitting .247 while holding EIU to -.094. It was the first time holding an opponent to negative hitting since keeping IUPUI at -.044 on Sept. 17, 2019.
 
Indiana State used 10 service aces to bolster the offense, including four from Chloe Mason and three from Emma Kaelin. Eastern Illinois, who entered the match third nationally in aces per set, didn't record an ace for the evening.
 
In the passing game, Mason led the way with 19 assists with Kaelin adding nine, leading the Trees to a 30-17 advantage over Eastern Illinois. Defensively, Melina Tedrow served as the anchor with 17 digs (5.67 per set) while Ashley Eck contributed eight of her own. It was a 42-38 difference in the category, favoring the Sycamores.
 
At the net, ISU was in control. Utilizing 16 block assists, the Trees held an 8-5 total block advantage. Kylie Newby was the leader, forming a wall for five blocks while Storm Suhre added fourn and Madeline Williams and Hamilton each added three.
 
Set One: 25-10, Indiana State
- Indiana State put down 13 kills while holding EIU to just five.
- Two service aces from Emma Kaelin early gave ISU an 8-1 lead.
- EIU hit -.125 for the set.
- Tedrow and Eck tallied 15 of the Sycamores' 42 digs in the frame.
 
Set Two: 25-10, Indiana State
- The Panthers kept it close early until a 5-0 run blew the lead open at 8-2 for ISU.  
- ISU had their best offensive set, hitting .321.
- Eastern Illinois struggled offensively, hitting -.167.
 
Set Three: 25-15, Indiana State
- The Sycamores struggled on the offensive side, hitting just .138.
- Five service aces helped the Blue & White overcome the offensive struggles.
- Chloe Mason recorded four service aces, including three in four points.
- Indiana State only needed eight kills to claim the set.
 
The Sycamores and Panthers will meet once again this weekend when ISU travels to Charleston, Ill., on Sunday for a 5 p.m. ET first serve. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
 
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.