Ball State University
Illinois State vs. Eastern Illinois
Illinois State Tops Eastern Illinois In Ball State Classic
September 08, 2007 | Women's Volleyball
Story Courtesy of Illinois State Media Relations
MUNCIE, Ind. - Illinois State co-captains Kari Staehlin and M.C. Richmond each recorded their most efficient hitting performances of the season, leading the upstart Redbirds to a three-games sweep (30-21, 30-22, 30-26) over Eastern Illinois in their first match of Saturday's Ball State Classic at Worthen Arena. After upending Saint Louis in three games Tuesday, ISU has now recorded back-to-back sweeps for the first time this season.
Illinois State, winners of a season-high four straight matches, improves to 7-2 on the season. Eastern Illinois dropped just its second match of the season, and is now 7-2 overall.
Richmond led the Redbirds with 14 kills and hit .480, while Staehlin had 12 kills on just 17 swings (.588). Peggy Riessen added 11 kills; Erin Lindsey led ISU with 35 set assists, and Mallory Leggett and Kasey Mollerus recorded 16 digs apiece to spearhead the defensive effort. EIU was led by Kelsey Orr's 11 kills.
"I was really pleased with our effort today," said head coach Sharon Dingman. "I thought when we needed to step up and get physical and play at a higher level of volleyball, we did that. Eastern (Illinois) was on a roll coming into this match, and had some momentum. So from that standpoint, I'm thrilled that we got this win in three games.
"The two players we knew would have to have big matches for us to win this game really stepped up. Kari (Staehlin) and M.C. (Richmond) were very aggressive today."
Illinois State controlled the early stages of game one, jumping out to an 8-3 lead. But the Panthers answered with a 7-2 spurt to tie the game at 10-10. Illinois State fell behind by two points four possessions later, but the Redbirds reclaimed the lead for good at 15-14 following Staehlin's fourth kill. Eastern Illinois trimmed the lead to two (23-21) 15 points later, but the `Birds finished the stanza on a 7-0 spree, behind the serving of Riessen, who served the final eight points of the game. M.C. Richmond secured the 30-21 win with a game-ending stuff block. Staehlin finished the frame with a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage, recording five kills on just five swings up the middle.
Both teams traded points in the opening 16 possessions of game two, but the Redbirds took complete control of the stanza with an ensuing 10-0 run. With Mallory Leggett behind the service line, ISU scored eight points on offense in the stretch, including back-to-back service aces by Leggett to cap off the spurt. EIU countered with a 5-1 run to pull within 26-18, but the Redbirds sealed the win and 2-0 games advantage by trading points down the stretch. Richmond ended the game with a cross-kill, capping off her six-kill frame.
ISU broke an 11-11 game three tie with a 5-1 spurt, and claimed a commanding 16-12 lead. The Panthers pulled within one point three possessions later, but the Redbirds finished the game on a 14-11 run to secure the 30-26 win. Riessen had five kills in the game to push her match total into double-digits.
Illinois State will take on host Ball State tonight at 7 p.m. (EST). The Cardinals dropped a five-game decision to Eastern Illinois Friday night to fall to 1-6 on the season.
