CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Courtney Pence was named the Missouri Valley Conference's Libero of the Year at an awards presentation at the McLeod Center Thursday prior to the start of the MVC Tournament. Additionally, Pence and teammate Jaelyn Keene earned All-MVC First-Team honors, while Ella Francis was named to the league's all-freshman team.
The all-conference first-team selection is the third-straight honor for Keene. Pence, an All-MVC Second-Team and all-freshman team pick a year ago, moved up to the first team this season. Francis, meanwhile, was one of six league newcomers named to the all-freshman team.
Pence, a sophomore libero from Springfield, Illinois, became Illinois State's third player and fourth selection in the past five years, joining Jenny Menendez (2012) and Emily Orrick (2013, 2014). Pence led The Valley in digs per set (5.49) for the second year in a row, while ranking sixth nationally. She broke Illinois State's single-match digs record with 44 in a five-set win at Northern Iowa on Sept. 16, before tallying 39 in a three-set win over Bradley on Sept. 24, the most digs by an NCAA Division I player in any three-set match this season. Pence's dig totals against UNI and Bradley rank as the two highest in the conference this season.
Keene, a junior middle blocker from Jacksonville, Illinois, earned her third-consecutive all-conference nod after tallying 340 kills (3.09 per set), 107 blocks (0.97 per set) and 46 aces (0.42 per set). She led the conference in aces and aces per set, while ranking second in hitting percentage (.406) and points per set (4.07). A three-time All-MVC First-Team pick as a junior, Keene will enter her senior season next year with a chance to become just the second player in program history to be a four-time first-team all-conference pick (Ashley Rosch earned the honors the past four years, 2012-15).
Francis, a freshman outside hitter from Prior Lake, Minnesota, made valuable contributions in her first season on the team, ranking fourth in kills per set (1.99) and fourth in total kills (145). She tallied a career-high 14 kills versus Rice on Sept. 3 and posted eight or more kills in 11 matches overall.
Missouri's State's Lily Johnson was named MVC Player of the Year. Wichita State's Emily Hiebert was named Setter of the Year. Missouri State's Daniele Messa was chosen for Freshman of the Year and MSU head coach Melissa Stokes was recognized as Coach of the Year. MVC all-conference and specialty awards are voted on by league coaches.
Illinois State (16-14, 9-9 MVC) begins play at the MVC Tournament tonight against Southern Illinois (21-11, 12-6). The No. 5 seed Redbirds take on the No. 4 seed Salukis at 5 p.m. Tonight's match, and all five matches from the Valley Tournament, will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Links for live video, audio and stats are available at GoRedbirds.com.
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