Bulldogs Win Seventh Straight, Defeat Illinois State in Four Sets
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake Bulldogs extended their winning streak to seven matches with a 3-1 victory over the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday, October 25. Drake won the first two sets 25-22, dropped the third 25-14, and closed out the match with a 25-22 win in the fourth.
Drake opened the second set with three consecutive points, fueled by kills from Bliss Beck and Macy Daufeldt. The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 10-7 following another Beck kill, and later to 14-9 after a kill from Aniyah Davis forced an Illinois state timeout.Drake continued to pressure the Redbirds, leading to another Illinois State timeout as they went up 19-13.Illinois State rallied to within two points at 24-22,but Daufeldt secured the set win,25-22,putting Drake ahead 2-0 in the match.
Illinois state responded in the third set with a 4-0 run to take a 7-3 advantage, eventually doubling up Drake at 14-7. The Redbirds continued their momentum, winning the set 25-14.
The fourth set saw Illinois State initially take a 7-2 lead, but Drake quickly recovered after a timeout, closing the gap to 11-10. Daufeldt tied the score at 15-15, igniting the Drake attack. A 3-0 run gave the Bulldogs an 18-16 lead, which they never relinquished, winning the set 25-22 on a kill from Caroline Smith and securing the match victory.
Senior Elena Brown recorded a double-double for Drake with 14 kills and 10 digs, leading the team in digs.Daufeldt led the Bulldogs with a team-high 16 kills and added nine digs. Smith also reached double figures in kills with 10, along with three blocks. Katie Rapid dished out 22 assists, while Addison Beagle contributed 21 assists and nine digs.
Drake will continue their season with a pair of matches next week, beginning with a road contest at Southern Illinois on Thursday, October 30, followed by a home game against Belmont at the knapp Center on Saturday, November 1.
