Photo by Kayla Johnson
Bradley volleyball kicked off its final homestand of the season last Saturday, facing I-74 rival Illinois State University. The Braves took the floor with the hopes of not only knocking off their rival, but correcting a four-match losing streak, as well. The Redbirds were up to the challenge and took the match 3-1.
The Braves jumped out to a 16-14 lead in the first set before an 8-0 run by the Redbirds helped them take the opener 25-17.
Head coach Carol Price-Torok said her team played well overall, but needed to better execute its game plan.
“We had a great match, but it came down to some errors in our execution,” Price-Torok said. “The opposing team did well in their adjustments, and that led to their victory.”
Bradley came out more aggressively in the second and put together a comeback rally of their own. After falling behind 22-17, sophomore Hannah Angeli got her team back in the match with a kill that ignited a 5-0 run. The Braves held off three Illinois State set points before a clinching ace from junior Yavianliz Rosado, to win 29-27.
The Braves served the ball well for the entire match, finishing with, five aces. According to Price-Torok, Bradley’s solid effort from the service line disrupted the Redbirds’ game plan.
“I thought we served very well, which knocked them out of system,” Price-Torok said. “[They] led to us securing some important points.”
Bradley attempted to mount another comeback effort in the third set. The Redbirds jumped out to a 12-5 lead, but the Braves chipped away and cut the deficit to just one at 17-16. Three Illinois State errors allowed Bradley to square the set at 20-20, however the Redbirds collected themselves and pulled away to win the set.
Junior Erica Haslag would not let her team go down quietly in the fourth. The outside hitter put up eight kills and six digs in the frame. Her performance was not enough, though, as Illinois State took the set, along with the match, 25-21.
Haslag turned in her 16th double-double of the season with 18 kills and 13 digs, and Angeli added her team-best 21st double-double of the year with 40 assists and 11 digs.
Rosado’s 18-dig performance helped her break the Bradley season digs record of 606 that was set in 1985. Rosado recorded her 607th dig of the season, and 18th of the match on the final point.
Bradley, will look to finish its season on a high note, as the team continues its final home stretch of 2017 at 7 p.m. tonight against the University of Evansville. The Braves wrap things up as they take on Indiana State University at 7 p.m. tomorrow in their final match of the year.
