KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, IND. ? Indiana State got off to a slow start, dropping the first two sets, but rallied to take the next two before losing a close fifth set as the Sycamores were defeated by the Wright State Raiders 2-3 Tuesday night in the final non-conference match for Indiana State.
The Sycamores dropped to 7-14 on the season and will return to Missouri Valley Conference action on Friday when they host the Illinois State Redbirds in the ISU Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. Indiana State is currently 1-7 in the MVC.
Indiana State had just nine kills in each of the first two sets but stayed within striking distance to Wright State in each set.
The Sycamores jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set on kills by Stephanie Volden, Kelli Whitaker and a Kristy Cox service ace. Wright State came back to tie the set at six and then scored four straight points to take the lead for good. The Raiders went on to win the first set 25-18 holding off several Sycamore rallies.
The second set remained tight with two Whitaker kills giving the Sycamores an 11-10 lead midway through the set. Wright State came back with five straight points and held off the Sycamores in the later stages of the set to post a 25-19 win and take a 2-0 lead at the break.
Kristin Hunt had five kills and Jodilynn Stoker three in the third set as Indiana State was in front from start to finish in posting a 25-21 win. Shelbi Fouty had two service aces in the set as the Sycamores held off a late Raider rally to preserve the win.
Hunt picked up five more kills and Whitaker had five as the Sycamores took control early in the fourth set and did not allow the Raiders back in. Wright State did cut a four point Indiana State lead to one but two Hunt kills and one by Whitaker pushed the ISU lead back to four. Whitaker scored the final two points for ISU on kills as the Sycamores evened the match at 2-all with a 25-14 win.
Indiana State looked to be on their way to a victory early in the fifth set as two Stoker service aces gave the Sycamores a 6-3 advantage. Wright State came back to tie the set at seven with the set tied again at eight after each side had an error.
Wright State scored three straight points to take an 11-8 lead. Indiana State fought back but could not get back in front as the Raiders held on to win 15-12 and win the match 3-2.
It was a career night for Kristin Hunt, a 6-foot-1 junior from Las Vegas, Nev. The Sycamore middle blocker had 14 kills in 23 attacks with just one error for a .565 hitting percentage, all career highs. Hunt also had two set assists and two block assists on the night.
Junior setter Whitney Fromm had a double-double with 39 set assists and 13 digs while junior outside hitter Jodilynn Stoker also had a double-double with 10 kills and 15 digs. Junior outside blocker Kelli Whitaker had 12 kills while senior defensive specialist Kristy Cox had 28 digs and freshman setter Shelbi Fouty 13 digs.
The Sycamores had 10 aces in the match led by freshman defensive specialist Kiya James, who tied a career high with four aces. Fouty and Stoker had two each with Volden and Cox each recorded one.
