University of Evansville sophomore Genesis Miranda set the Purple Aces single-season kills mark as UE fell to Indiana State by a 3-1 final on Friday night at the Carson Center.
Miranda posted a game-high 19 kills to lead UE (8-21, 2-13 MVC). She now has 463 on the season, breaking Julie Groves’ mark of 454.
“I am excited for that, I did not expect to do that in my sophomore year,†Miranda said. “It is special and that will motivate me to help our team take it to the next level in my junior year.
Stephanie Cerino had 12 kills on the night while Kim Deprez posted 20 digs. Jelena Merseli had a team-best 24 assists. Pacing the Indiana State (17-14, 6-10 MVC) offense was Cassandra Willis, who had 13 kills. Kynedi Nalls and Melody Burdett registered 12 apiece.
Indiana State opened the night with a 25-17 win in the opening frame. Carly Wishlow had four kills on five attempts. With ISU up 8-7, they went on an 11-2 run and pulled away for the win. Evansville got a little closer as Lorena Marquez did the serving in a 5-0 stretch, but the Sycamores hung on for the win.
Evansville got its revenge in the second game. Trailing 11-10, UE scored nine of the next 11 points as Kim Deprez helped the Aces score four in a row as she notched an ace in the run. Hanging on to a 23-17 lead, Mildrelis Rodriguez recorded the final two kills to lead UE to the win.
Early in the third game, Evansville had the hot hand, taking a 6-3 lead on a Gabriela Roman kill. Indiana State responded as Kynedi Nalls had back-to-back kills to give them an 8-6 lead and cap off a 5-0 run. They went on to lead by six points at 19-13 before the Aces stormed back. Rodriguez did the serving and also notched a killas the Aces scored four in a row. Later, they tied it up at 21-21. With the score knotted at 22-22, the Sycamores scored the next two before a Wishlow tally gave them a 25-23 triumph.
The Aces rallied once again in the fourth frame. Trailing 20-13 and later by a 22-16 tally, UE fought back. Miranda notched a pair of kills in a run that saw the Aces get within one at 23-22. Following two timeouts, the Sycamores were able to regroup and hang on for the 25-23 win to clinch the match.
Tomorrow, UE completes its home slate against Illinois State at 6 p.m. Seniors Stephanie Cerino, Kim Deprez, Lorena Marquez, Tathianna Cordero and Gabriela Roman will be recognized before the match.
