Illinois State Stuns No. 25 UNI, 3-2

Friday, October 27

Normal, Illinois

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

20-6, 10-2MVC

Illinois State

15-10, 8-4MVC

UNI

Illinois State

Illinois State Stuns No. 25 UNI, 3-2

10/27/2017 9:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BOX SCORE (PDF)

NORMAL, Illinois - The Illinois State Redbirds rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the fifth and deciding set and scored a 3-2 victory over the No. 25-ranked University of Northern Iowa volleyball team at Redbird Arena on Friday night. Illinois State won by set scores of 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12.

The Redbirds (15-10 overall, 8-4 MVC) defeated the Panthers for the third time in their last four matches at Redbird Arena. UNI (20-6 overall, 10-2 MVC) was held to a conference-low hitting percentage of .152 in the match. Prior to Friday's match in MVC play, UNI's lowest hitting percentage was .218 in a loss to Missouri State.

Junior Piper Thomas posted a career-high 24 kills (.385 hitting percentage). Senior Heather Hook registered a career-high 23 digs and also notched a double-double with 55 assists. Junior Kendyl Sorge notched a season-high 30 digs.

UNI looked to be in control in the fifth set as the Panthers took a commanding 5-0 lead. However, the Redbirds whittled away the advantage and tied the set at 9-9. Following a 10-10 tie, the Redbirds scored four of the next five points to take a 14-11 lead. Thomas secured a kill to fight off one match point, but Jaelyn Keene scored the game-winner and gave the Redbirds a 15-12 victory in the fifth.

UNI will play again on Sunday against Bradley in Peoria, Illinois. The Panthers and Braves will get underway at noon.

NOTES: Karlie Taylor has had 19 consecutive matches with double-figure kills totals ... redshirt freshman Kate Busswitz made her collegiate debut in the third set ... Busswitz also recorded her first collegiate kill in the match ... Bri Weber moved into No. 10 on UNI's all-time digs list as she surpassed Bre Payton's total of 1,222 career digs ... Weber has 1,230 career digs.