"It was a nice win against a team that has dominated us in the past," said Drake head coach Phil McDaniel. "We played solid defense and really hit the ball well in the last two games, stepping up when we needed to."

Drake trailed, 14-10, in the first game before a 7-2 run gave the Bulldogs a 17-16 advantage. The Bulldogs secured the win with a 4-2 run to close out the game at 25-23.

In game two, Illinois State went up 4-0 and later went on an 11-3 run for a 20-12 lead. The Redbirds won game two, 25-19. A 5-1 run to finish the third game gave Illinois State a 25-23 win and a 2-1 lead.

Drake took an 8-5 lead to start game four before Illinois State went on a 5-0 run to pull ahead, 10-8. With the game tied at 13-13, Drake used a 9-3 run to take a 22-16 lead. The Bulldogs closed the game with a block to record the 25-20 victory.

In the final game Drake took a 6-2 lead that it never relinquished, winning the deciding set, 15-12.

Junior outside hitters Angela Bys (Marion, Iowa/Marion) and Alisa DeBerg Roth (Hudson, Iowa/Hudson) led Drake with 15 kills, four blocks and 11 kills, eight blocks, respectively. Sophomore middle blocker Michelle Reidy (Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert Catholic) added six kills and matched a career high with nine block assists.

"Our blockers were very well disciplined at the net tonight," noted McDaniel. "When you are blocking well you can really take momentum away from the other team and stop a run."

Junior libero Alana Wittenburg (Redlyn, Iowa/Wapsie Valley) led the defense with 26 digs, followed by senior defensive specialist Lindsay Schryver (Williams Bay, Wis./Williams Bay) and senior outside hitter Emily Madden (Van Meter, Iowa (Adel DeSoto Minburn) with eight apiece.

Drake continues MVC play, traveling to Indiana State Saturday (Sept. 26) for a 6 p.m. match.