UIS Volleyball dropped a 3-0 match to Drury (25-12, 25-12, 25-21) Friday at TRAC.
The Prairie Stars could not recover after Drury turned a 1-1 score into a 6-1 advantage early in the first set.
Alyssa Gray,
Maddie Mendelblatt and
Khadijah Blue supplied kills, and Blue teamed with
Kendall Johnson on a block as the Prairie Stars built momentum 14-6. Drury would take the first set 25-12.
The Prairie Stars were forced to chase the second set after Drury built a 12-1 lead. UIS found scattered offense through kills by Gray, Mendelblatt, Johnson and
Marley Christy, with
Kaitlyn Taylor assisting four Prairie Stars kills. Drury kept the set out of reach and took it 25-12.
The Stars worked back from an early 8-3 deficit in the third set, getting a Blue ace and Gray kill during the first push before tying the set at 12 on a Drury attack error. Johnson helped keep the Prairie Stars within reach with multiple kills as UIS got back within reach, but Drury finished the set with a 25-21 decision.
Johnson led Illinois Springfield with six kills and added 11 digs.
Emma Frazier collected a team-high 14 digs and added two assists. Taylor finished with a team-leading nine assists. Blue recorded four kills, one service ace and two blocks.
"We didn't come out with the urgency and energy we needed in the first two sets, and against a good team that's a difficult hole to climb out of." shared head coach
Laura Ulrich. "I was proud of the way our group responded in the third set and competed much harder. That fight and resilience is something we can build from as we continue to grow."
The Friday night homecoming match also featured tailgate activities and DJ TAT. Up next, UIS hosts Southwest Baptist at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Route 66 Rally Lounge will be on the South court of TRAC as a hospitality experience.
