Missouri State University

Senior outside hitter Addie Foley had a double-double by the end of the second set and finished with 16 kills and 16 digs, both career highs for a three-set match, as Missouri State opened Missouri Valley Conference volleyball play Friday with a 25-23, 25-19, 25-21 sweep of Illinois State at Hammons Student Center.
   
    The Bears (8-4, 1-0 MVC) built an early lead in the first set by hit a lull midway through to fall behind 17-14. Three  straight ISU (5-7, 0-1) attack errors tied the set, but the Redbirds took advantage of an MSU service error and used two kills to go up 20-18. MSU fought back and Calli Norman’s kill gave the Bears the lead for good at 23-22.

    A 4-0 Illinois State run was sandwiched between Missouri State runs of 3-0 and 5-0 to begin the second set. The Bears hit .237 in the frame, their best effort of the night, and Foley put up six kills on 12 swings as the Bears never trailed in the six point win.

    The Redbirds controlled much of the third set, leading by as many as four points and as late as 21-20. Foley’s kill tied the set at 21, and two Redbird errors made the score 23-21 and forced an ISU timeout. Norman pounded a kill out of the stoppage for match point and Foley fittingly finished it off with her 16th kill.

    Foley hit .333 on a night when the Bears hit .215 as a team. Norman’s nine kills came on .267 hitting, and Sara Staubach added eight kills. Cara Hackmann had 19 digs, and Norman participated in four of MSU’s seven blocks.

    The Bears host Indiana State (4-8, 0-1) Saturday at 7 p.m.