NORMAL, Ill. – Kira Holland posted her 10th consecutive match with double-digit kills Saturday night, but visiting Indiana State fell to Illinois State in three sets (25-23, 25-15, 25-5) inside CEFCU Arena.
 
Holland finished with a match-high 14 kills along with 10 digs, recording her fifth double-double of the season. Madisen Perry added six kills for the Sycamores, while Avery Hales had 22 assists and seven digs.
 
Illinois State took four of the first five points in the match, but two early kills from Holland helped the Trees level the set in the opening stages. The Redbirds went on a run to go ahead 14-7, and later pushed their advantage to nine points. Indiana State battled back, though, as the Sycamores went on a 9-1 run to cut their deficit to two. Holland and Hales combined for five kills during the scoring run, which saw a 22-13 deficit trimmed to 23-21. That was the closest Indiana State got, though, as Illinois State took the first set 25-23.
 
Kills from Holland, Storm Suhre and Jadyn Smith kept Indiana State within two early in the second set, but a pair of service aces saw Illinois State take a 9-4 lead. Holland and Perry tacked on kills to get the Trees within 12-8 midway through the set, but another Redbird run pushed the home side's lead to 18-12. A pair of late kills from Perry weren't enough for the Sycamores, as Illinois State won the second set 25-15.
 
Illinois State took 12 of the first 13 points in the third set and never looked back. The Sycamores never got in a rhythm in the set, as the host Redbirds closed out the match by taking the third frame in convincing fashion, 25-5.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Eight of Kira Holland's 14 kills came in the first set.
• Seven different Sycamores recorded five or more digs in Saturday's match.

 
News and Notes

• Kira Holland has recorded double-digit kills in each of the last 10 matches, a streak that dates back to the opening weekend of conference play.
• Madisen Perry's six kills were her most in a match since Sept. 29 against Missouri State, while her five digs were a season best.

 
Up Next
Indiana State begins a two-match homestand Friday at 6 p.m. against Southern Illinois.
 
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