Tedrow sets Indiana State career digs record, Sycamores fall to Redbirds

By Press release submission

Sep 28, 2022

Melina Tedrow broke Indiana State's all-time digs record Saturday evening at ISU Arena, but the milestone moment came in a three-set setback to visiting Illinois State (25-16, 25-18, 25-23).

Tedrow finished with four digs on the night, passing Kristy Cox (1,841 career digs) atop the charts in program history. Mallory Keller paced the Sycamores with 10 kills in the losing effort, while Karinna Gall led the team with eight digs.

Indiana State and Illinois State traded early scoring runs in the first set, with the Redbirds using a 6-1 run to take a 15-12 lead into the media timeout. From there, the momentum shifted all towards the visitors, as the Sycamores found themselves down seven by the next time ISU scored. Despite a late kill by Keller, the Redbirds closed out the set with five of the last seven points to take the opener, 25-16.

Illinois State jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the second set but the Trees came back with three straight points of their own, including a pair of kills by Keller. The Redbirds responded, though, scoring nine of the next 12 points to pull away in the set. Keller and Gall provided an offensive spark late, while Kaitlyn Hamilton added a kill during a 4-0 Sycamore scoring run, but Illinois State held on to take the set, 25-18.

The Redbirds jumped out to a 5-1 lead early in the third set, but Indiana State clawed its way back with a 7-1 run, mostly on Jazzlyn Ford's seve, to pull in front 11-8. The Sycamores further extended their lead to 16-12 following a stretch of two kills by Hamilton and an ace from Taylor Shelton. Illinois State cut the Sycamore lead to two before three straight points, including a Storm Suhre service ace, extended ISU's lead to 25-18. Illinois State rallied, though, scoring the last seven points to clinch the match.

Inside the Numbers

Indiana State's six service aces marked the second time this season the Sycamores had more than five in a match (seven vs. Chicago State).
Saturday's match marked the sixth straight with 10 or more block assists for the Sycamores.
Mallory Keller has tallied six or more kills in each of the last six matches, including double-digit totals on two occasions (vs. Campbell, vs. Illinois State).

News and Notes

In addition to Melina Tedrow breaking the school record for digs, she currently sits in the top 10 among active Division I players in the statistic and is the active leader in the stat among MVC players.
Saturday's match wrapped up a two-match homestand, the first home matches at ISU Arena for the Sycamores this season.