UE back home next weekend
PEORIA, Ill. – It was sophomore Mildrelis Rodriguez pacing the University of Evansville offense once again as the Purple Aces fell by a 3-0 final at Bradley on Saturday night.
Rodriguez recorded 11 kills while Rachel Tam had seven for UE (4-14, 0-5 MVC). Joselyn Coronel and Olivia Goldstein notched 10 digs apiece while Jelena Merseli had 19 assists. Jamie Livaudais and Kelsey Cave registered 11 kills apiece for the Braves (6-9, 1-3 MVC).
Evansville faced a deficit in the first game of the evening, but battled back every time. After Bradley opened up a 5-1 lead, the Aces came back to tie it up at 10-10 as Rocio Fortuny notched a kill in the run. The Braves used an 11-2 stretch to go up 21-12 and looked in good shape, but the tenacious UE team did not give up.
An 11-3 run brought the Aces back within one at 24-23. Stellar serving by Rachel Tam was the difference as she had a pair of service aces in the rally. Erica Haslag ended the run with the set-winning kill to give BU a 25-23 decision.
Bradley took control midway through the second set. Up 12-7, the Braves extended the lead to nine at 20-11 before winning by a 25-15 final to take a 2-0 advantage. In the third frame, Evansville kept it close, trailing by a 7-5 score before Bradley scored eight in a row before clinching the match with a 25-16 win.
Illinois State and Indiana State will make their way to the Carson Center next weekend to face the Purple Aces in MVC action.
