McLean County Times

The Illinois State volleyball team lost a close five-set match to Bradley in Peoria on Saturday evening. The set scores were 22-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-21, and 8-15.

Bradley started the first set strong with six consecutive points, including three service aces, and built a lead of up to ten points. Illinois State responded with two scoring runs but ultimately dropped the set by three points.

In the second set, Illinois State led from start to finish. Despite Bradley tying the score early and narrowing the gap late in the set, Illinois State secured the win with a kill from Aida Shadewald and a block by Khenedi Guest and Caitlyn Little.

The third set saw both teams trading short runs before Illinois State took an early lead. Bradley rallied midway through the set and finished strong for a 25-18 win.

Illinois State used a 6-0 run in the fourth set to take control after an early deficit. Bradley tied it at 21 before Illinois State closed out with four straight points, ending with another block from Little and Guest.

Bradley quickly gained momentum in the deciding fifth set and led by six at the side change. The Redbirds closed within four but could not recover as Bradley claimed victory.

Arianna Rossi achieved a career-high of 39 digs during the match. According to Illinois State Athletics, this is "the second-most in a match in the NCAA this season, and tied for the eighth-highest single-match total in program history." She also matched her career high with eight assists.

Khenedi Guest followed up her previous game’s performance—where she had ten blocks—with six blocks against Bradley along with a season-high thirteen kills. Caitlyn Little led Illinois State with fifteen kills for her sixth double-digit kill effort of this season. Ruth Ziegler contributed eleven kills for her third double-digit performance this year.

Hannah Reichensperger reached seven digs, matching her career best. Aida Shadewald returned from injury to record twelve digs and seven kills for her second double-digit dig effort of the season.

Ella Craggs registered her third double-double of this campaign with twenty-two assists and ten digs. Audrey Clark added twenty-four assists—her third highest total this year—and tied her career high with nine digs.

Illinois State will return home after five road games to host UIC on October 2 at CEFCU Arena, followed by Valparaiso on October 3.