Even though volleyball is an indoor sport, Illinois State coach Sharon Dingman suggested that her team wear headgear for its Sunday non-conference match against 2003 Big East co-champion Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. in Redbird Arena.
"We need to put our 'Valley hats' on," said Dingman. whose 11-2 team is in search of its ninth straight victory and 15th straight in Redbird Arena. "We have a chance to show what the Missouri Valley can do against one of the top teams in another conference. Matches like this can have an impact on the NCAA Tournament selections at the end of the year, so we want to represent the Valley well."
It won't be easy against the Panthers, 10-5 after a 30-24, 30-23, 30-32, 30-22 win over Indiana State Saturday at Redbird Arena. Outside hitter Gini Ullery and middle blocker Megan Miller are "mighty good" according to Dingman. They combined for 37 of Pitt's 72 kills against Indiana State.
"Pitt will be an excellent opponent--as good as any team we've had in Redbird Arena this year," said Dingman. "The match might be like ours against Northern Iowa. The winner probably will be the team that can stay in its offense."
With four players averaging three or more kills per game -- Laura Doornbos, Kari Staehlin, Savannah Knowles and Emily Kabbes -- the Redbird offense has been strong this year. But the defense rose up in Friday's 30-20, 30-18, 30-19 win over Indiana State. Behind Paige White's 15 digs and Kabbes five blocks, the 'Birds had a 53-44 dig advantage and an 11-3 team blocking edge.
For the season, the Redbidrs have won 34 of 48 games. In 31 of those games, the 'Birds have held their opponents to under .200 hitting. Illinois State has won 27 of those 31 games where the defense has been strong.
The Redbirds, 5-0 and co-leaders of the Missouri Valley Conference, go back to Valley play next weekend, playing Friday at SMS and Saturday at co-leader Wichita State.
