Bradley used an efficient offensive attack, matching a season-low with just seven attack errors, in a 25-23, 25-17, 25-20 victory against Indiana State to wrap up a season-long, four-match home stand Saturday at Renaissance Coliseum. Junior Amy Angelos had nine kills on 12 attacks with no hitting errors, while freshman setter Jessica Teel had a season-best 31 assists to help pace the Braves’ attack. The first set was close throughout with both teams hitting over .300 in the frame. With the score knotted at 22-22, a Madelyn Ervin kill gave BU a 23-22 edge. An Indiana State setting error put Bradley (8-14 overall, 2-9 MVC) in front 24-22 and the duo of Courtney Keefe and Allie Falter combined for a block after a Sycamore kill to close out a 25-23 Braves win. Click here for complete game box score.
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-Bob
Bradley University sophomore Courtney Keefe turned in season highs of 14 kills and 18 digs, but the Southern Illinois duo of Laura Thole (22 kills) and Alysia Mayes (20 kills) helped power the Salukis to a five set victory against the Braves Friday at Renaissance Coliseum. Set scores in favor of SIU were 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 21-25, 15-9. Keefe collected a team and season high 14 kills in addition to finishing one dig short of matching her career-best total with 18 digs in the five-set loss. She was one of four BU players to reach double figures in kills, with sophomore Allie Falter adding a career-best 12 kills. Bradley (6-13 overall, 0-8 MVC) got off to a hot start, hitting .500 in the first set and ran away with a 25-18 opening set victory. Falter and senior Madelyn Ervin each tallied four kills on five swings to lead the Braves in the opening-set win. Southern Illinois (16-3 overall, 6-2 MVC) answered with a .424 attack percentage in the second set and pulled even in the match with a 25-17 victory. Taylor Pippen led the Saluki offensive attack in the second set, finding the floor with five kills on just six attack attempts. Click here to view more photo’s from the game.
-Bob
Bradley University junior Alise Tupuritis turned in her fourth double-double, but the Braves couldn’t overcome six aces and 12 blocks by Missouri State as the Bears swept the Braves 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 Saturday at Renaissance Coliseum. Tupuritis led Bradley (6-9 overall, 0-5 MVC) with 10 kills in addition to collecting 10 digs and three blocks in the loss, while junior Lauren Zerante led the BU defensive efforts with a match-high 15 digs. Sophomore Courtney Keefe added nine kills and 10 digs. Missouri State (9-8 overall, 4-2 MVC) got off to a hot start, hitting .379 in the opening set and never trailed in a 25-18 win. Andrea Beaty led the Bears’ first-set attack, recording five kills on five swings. Amy Angelos and senior Madelyn Ervin each had seven kills to help lead Bradley offensively. Zerante notched eight of her match-high 15 digs in the final set.
-Bob
After dropping the first two games of Wednesday’s non-conference match against Knox College, the Eureka College volleyball team stormed back to win game three and twice served game point in game four, but the visiting Prairie Fire rallied to hold off the Red Devils’ charge and earned a 25-18, 25-15, 16-25, 29-27 victory at the Reagan Center. The decision spoiled Eureka’s 2012 home opener. Knox (2-14) never trailed in either of the first two games to race to an early lead in the match. After a Eureka kill from freshman outside hitter Sam Vogel forced a 7-7 tie in the opening game, the visitors responded with six consecutive points to take control with a 13-7 cushion. Eureka clawed back within five, 15-10, after a kill from senior outside hitter Shari Steidinger, but the Prairie Fire was able to coast to a 25-18 win. Game four saw 17 ties and 11 lead changes, as neither squad was able to push their lead past four points. Knox gained their biggest edge of the frame at 16-13 following a Eureka attack error. The Red Devils fired back, using a 8-2 run capped by a kill from junior outside hitter Jacqui Kane to lead 22-18. Knox answered with four straight points for a 22-22 tie, but the Red Devils ultimately forced game point, 25-24, after Peyton McAtee’s kill. Knox was able to fend off game point twice over the next series of volleys, and eventually earned the victory when Amber Eisha blocked the Red Devils’ attack for a 29-27 victory. Click here to view more game photo’s.
-Bob
Bradley Junior Lauren Zerante notched a season-best 20 digs and fellow junior Amy Angelos collected team-highs of 12 kills and six blocks, but Saint Louis spoiled Bradley’s home opener by topping the Braves in four sets. Lindsey Dinkelacker led the Billikens with 18 kills, helping Saint Louis to a 23-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23 win. Bradley (5-2 overall) got off to a strong start taking the opening set 25-23, behind five kills by junior Alise Tupuritis . The first set featured 12 ties and five lead changes before Bradley took control late. Tupuritis capped a 6-2 BU spurt with a kill to put the Braves in front 23-19. Saint Louis (3-4 overall) later pulled with one point at 24-23 before Angelos ended the set with one of her team-best 12 kills. Angelos led Bradley’s attack with 12 kills and season-best six blocks. Tupuritis was also in double figures with 11 kills, while sophomore setter Madison Kamp added her third double-double in her last four outings’ finishing with 36 assists and 14 digs. Zerante finished one dig short of her career high set her freshman year, collecting a season-best 20 digs. To view photo’s to purchase click here.
Game Box Score
-Bob
