Illinois State Volleyball Secures Fourth Seed with Victory Over Bradley
NORMAL, Ill. – In a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, Illinois State volleyball triumphed over Bradley in four sets, securing a spot as the fourth seed in the upcoming 2024 MVC Volleyball Championships. The decisive match took place at CEFCU Arena on Wednesday, with set scores of 25-19, 20-25, 25-17, and 26-24.
The match showcased a dynamic competition, with Illinois State initially taking the lead in the first set and holding off Bradley’s attempts to equalize, ultimately winning 25-19. Set two saw the Braves respond strongly, winning 25-20 after a late scoring surge.
The Redbirds regained momentum in the third set, utilizing a 5-0 run to gain a firm advantage, ultimately closing the set at 25-17. The fourth set proved intense, featuring a back-and-forth exchange that culminated in a narrow 26-24 victory for Illinois State, ensuring they swept the season series against Bradley.
Notable performances included Caitlyn Little leading the team with 14 kills and contributing 13 digs, marking her seventh double-double of the season. Mekaila Aupiu also excelled, notching 37 assists and 15 digs for her 15th double-double of the year. Hannah Reichensperger made headlines with 10 blocks, the first Illinois State player to reach that milestone since 2021.
With this victory, Illinois State (with a hitting percentage of .133) will head into the MVC Championships set to face off against the winner of the Bradley-Missouri State match on Sunday at 3 p.m. For updates, fans can visit GoRedbirds.com or follow on social media.
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Photo credit goredbirds.com