NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State earned a 3-0 win over the University of Evansville volleyball team on Friday evening inside Redbird Arena.
Evansville (6-11, 0-4 MVC) was led by Mildrelis Rodriguez, who finished with nine kills and nine digs. Elena Redmond also tied for the team high with nine digs while pacing the squad with 11 assists. Rachel Tam notched five kills. The Redbirds (11-4, 3-0 MVC) were led by 10 Ella Francis Kills.
UE grabbed an early 4-3 lead in game one on an ISU error. The Redbirds quickly regrouped to take a 6-4 edge. A Kerra Cornist kill got the Aces back on the board, but ISU added to its lead, going up 14-7 before taking the set, 25-13.
In the second frame, the Aces once again had a nice start as a Rodrigez kill and a Tam service ace gave the squad a 4-1 lead. Five in a row by Illinois State gave them the lead for good. UE was within striking distance, down 14-9, but ISU reeled off the final 11 tallies to win by a 25-9 final.
After starting slow in the first two games, the Redbirds reeled off the opening eight tallies in game three before finishing the set with a 25-11 win and a 3-0 match win.
Tomorrow, the Aces are in Peoria, Ill. to face Bradley in a 7 p.m. match.
