Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State fell to the Illinois State Redbirds, 3-0, in the 2014 home opener by scores of 25-21, 25-22 and 25-19 Friday night at Charles Koch Arena.

With the loss, Wichita State fell to 6-5 overall and 0-1 in the Missouri Valley, while Illinois State improved to 7-5 and 1-0.

Junior Katie Reilly led all WSU attackers with 10 kills on the night and an attack percentage of .381, while freshman Emily Hiebert tallied 22 assists. Sophomore Dani Mostrom led with 20 digs.

As a team, the Shocks combined for 31 kills, while hitting just .066. The Redbirds finished with 42 kills, hitting .203 for the match. WSU was held to just 26 assists on the night, compared to 40 for Illinois State.

In the first set neither team led by more than two points until late in the set when the Redbirds pulled away to win, 25-21. Katie Reilly led all Shockers with five kills in the set.

WSU used a 4-0 run early in the second set to take an 8-5 lead, but the Redbirds would not go away. Illinois State put together a little run of its own to tie the set up, 16-16. With WSU leading 20-17, Illinois State went on to score five straight points to take a 22-20 lead.
Following a timeout, the Shockers scored two straight to tie it up at 22, but Illinois State would hammer home the final three points to take the set, 25-22.

Illinois State came out firing in the third set by taking a 12-6 lead. The Shockers would then mount their comeback to tie the set up at 13-13, but the Redbirds would quickly respond with a run of their own. After WSU fought back to tie it up at 13, Illinois State went on a 12-6 run to clinch the match, 25-19.

The Shockers return to Koch Arena Saturday night at 7 p.m. vs. Indiana State. For more news follow the Shocker Volleyball team on Twitter at @GoShockersVB and goshockers.com.

- Wichita State -