Central Michigan and Western Illinois join teams of players from Illinois Central College and Illinois Wesleyan, plus an Illinois State alumni team and the host Redbirds for the 2001 Kelly Meisner Invitational Volleyball Tournament April 7 at Redbird Arena.
The six teams will participate in round robin play starting at 9 a.m., with each match consisting of one rally-scored game to 30 points and a second game rally scored to 15 points. Illinois State's schedule also will include tournaments at Indiana (April 14) and St. Louis University (April 21).
The Kelly Meisner Invitational is played each year in memory of a former Redbird who battled cancer throughout her collegiate career. Meisner, a Heyworth native, died in 1997.
Although all-conference setter Becky Weber and senior outside hitter Abby Lewis return to lead the team, the short-handed Redbirds have just eight healthy returnees from the 2000 team. Returning players Jenny Kabbes (shoulder), Christy Beyers (knee), Megan O'Connell (shoulder) and Julie Washburn (back) all are recovering from surgery. Megan Stephenson has been limited because of a stress fracture in her leg.
Redbird head coach Sharon Dingman, whose team is coming off a 19-10 season, believes her team needs to look beyond the challenge of a small squad to improving its ball control and defense.
"People will play a lot of different positions and we think that will make them better," said Dingman, beginning her second season at Illinois State. "We will be focusing on ballhandling and defense. Those are areas we have to improve for the fall."
ISU's fall season begins Aug. 31 with the Barker Oldsmobile Tournament in Redbird Arena. The Redbirds also will host the 2001 State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
-- 30 --
2001 Kelly Meisner Tournament Schedule
April 7, 2001 Redbird Arena Normal, Ill.
Time Court 1 Court 2
9 a.m. Peoria Cougars vs. Illinois State ISU Alums vs. Western Illinois
10 a.m. Bloomington Titans vs. Central Michigan Western Illinois vs. Cougars
11 a.m. ISU Alums vs. Illinois State Titans vs. Western Illinois
Noon Cougars vs. Central Michigan ISU Alums vs. Titans
1 p.m. (BREAK)
2 p.m. Western Illinois vs. Illinois State ISU Alums vs. Central Michigan
3 p.m. Titans vs. Illinois State Cougars vs. ISU Alums
4 p.m. Central Michigan vs. Illinois State
NOTE: Bloomington Titans are players from Illinois Wesleyan University
Peoria Cougars are players from Illinois Central College
