The Raiders (11-5) fell 3-1 in a Horizon League matchup against UIC on Friday night at McLin Gym.
“UIC is a tough team. They have a lot of offense and we have to play better defense,” said head coach Susan Clements.
UIC got off to a good start as they led for the majority of the first set eventually winning it 25-20.
The second set started close as neither team could gain much of an advantage. UIC went up 11-8 causing WSU to call a timeout before going on a 9-3 run to gain a nine point lead. The Raiders would battle back but would lose the set 25-16.
“We talked about playing better because we knew we could,” Clements said. “We came back in that third set and really started to elevate our play on the defensive end.”
The third set went back and forth for a while until UIC got hot and gained a 5 point lead at 17-12. The Raiders would respond with a 10-5 run to tie the set at 22. The two teams would trade points for a while putting pressure on one another but WSU would edge out a 30-28 victory to force a fourth set.
“It was really big for them to feel like we can beat these teams,” Clements said.
WSU fell behind in the fourth set 17-12 before striking a comeback to tie the set at 19. UIC would go on to win the set 25-22 after a 6-3 run to win the match.
“Our league is really tough,” Clements said. “I think it (third set) gave them confidence that we can do this and play better. We just have to start off at the beginning better.”
This was the first conference game for the Raiders after going 10-4 in non-conference games for their best start since 2002.
“We had some tough calls in the crucial moments of the game,” Clements said. “We have to be able to contain our composure in those times.”
The Raiders will be back in action tomorrow, Sept. 26 ion McLin Gym as they host Valparaiso at 4 p.m. for another Horizon League matchup.
