DES MOINES, Iowa – Co-Missouri Valley Conference leader Illinois State swept the Drake Bulldogs, 3-0, on Saturday night at the Knapp Center.

Illinois State (15-5, 8-1 MVC), who dropped its first conference match Friday night at UNI, won tonight's match 25-17, 25-17 and 25-19 behind sophomore Ashley Rosch's match-high 12 kills.

Drake (2-19, 0-8 MVC), who stayed close with one of the Valley's top teams all night, was paced by junior Amanda Platte (Mount Vernon, Iowa) team-high 10 kills. Freshman Capris Quaites (Omaha, Neb.) continued her strong play this weekend adding nine kills.

The Redbirds controlled set one jumping out to a fast 10-4 lead as the Bulldogs quickly called their first timeout. Drake did not have an answer out of the break as Illinois State closed out the win 25-17. The Redbirds connected on 14 kills with just two attack errors in the frame. Platte finished with a set-high five kills, while Quaites had four kills.

Set two featured nine ties and three lead changes. Drake overcame an 8-4 deficit to even the set at 11-11 after a block assist by Quaites and freshman Tegan LaBerge (Maple Grove, Minn.). Illinois State called its first timeout and the Bulldogs kept the momentum after the timeout. Katie Allen (Mokena, Ill.) smashed a kill to give Drake a 15-14 lead, but the Redbirds went on an 11-2 scoring run to win 25-17.

Platte's kill gave the Bulldogs a 9-6 lead in set three, but Illinois State answered with six consecutive points to go up 12-9. Drake burned its first timeout of the frame, but it did not slow Illinois State as they built its lead to 22-15, as the Bulldogs were forced to call their final timeout. The Redbirds went on to win the final frame, 25-19, and take the match to stay atop the Valley standings with Wichita State.

Sarah Madden (Van Meter, Iowa) returned to the starting lineup in the libero position for Drake and recorded 28 digs, which puts her closer to the number two position all-time at Drake. Madden has 1,408 digs, which trails Brandy Osstain, who played from 1993-96 and finished with 1,455.

Sophomore setter Rebecca Brown (Bentonville, Ark.) had another strong all-around performance as she guided the Bulldogs offense with 28 assists. She added seven digs, two kills, one service ace and one blocks. LaBerge had a team-high three blocks.

Drake hits the road for matches at Wichita State on Friday, Oct. 25 and at Missouri State on Saturday, Oct. 26. First serve for each match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Live stats will be available at www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com.