Box Score
The University of Evansville Aces improved their record to 15-3 with a three-set sweep over Illinois State. UE beat the Redbirds with final set scores of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-23. With the win, the Aces move to 4-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
“It was a hard fought match, which was to be expected,” said head coach Mike Swan. “Everybody stepped up when we needed it and we did what we needed to do to pull out the win.
“I thought our serving was once again very aggressive and our serve receive was excellent,” continued Swan. “Our front row got some quality blocks in which was a big difference maker on a lot of plays.”
Junior Brooke Maher and sophomore Hannah Wilson each posted double-double performances in the win. Maher led the offense with 18 kills and 15 digs, while Wilson recorded a team-high 18 digs with 12 kills. UE totaled 7 blocks on the night, with junior Ellen Sawin putting up the only solo block for the Aces. Sawin and junior Kaisi Nixon also recorded two service aces on the night, while freshman Katie Klages added one of her own.
Senior co-captain and offensive leader Emily Wandersee was sidelined for tonight’s match due torn ligaments in her ankle, marking the second consecutive game she has been forced to sit out. UE athletic trainers seem hopeful that Wandersee will return to action next weekend.
The first set began with a 4-4 tie, but the Aces pushed the score to 11-5 and never looked back. UE only hit .125 for the set, but the Aces’ defense kept UE in the lead. Klages recorded a set-high 7 digs to the Aces’ 21 digs in the win. The Redbirds threatened to steal the game when they took the lead at 20-19, but the Aces quickly recovered and a kill by Maher ended the game at 25-22.
Game two got off to an almost identical start as the first set, with both teams tied at 4-4 before the Aces sat at an 11-5 lead. This time, however, the Aces took off to a 9-point lead, as they ran the score to 15-6. The lead was too much for the Redbirds to overcome, and the Aces took the win with a final score of 25-20.
The third set proved to be a closer battle, as the score was tied a total of nine times throughout the match. The Redbirds battled at match point to rally back from a 24-21 deficit and bring the score to just a 24-23 Aces lead, but a Redbird service error ended the game and secured the win for UE.
The Aces will finish the weekend with a home match against Indiana State (8-10, 0-5) Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Carson Center. Fans can follow all the action by signing up for live video streaming or by following the live stats.
