When the libero position was approved for NCAA volleyball two years ago, Illinois State libero Paige White suggested that the rule would be better if the liberos could serve. Well, the NCAA rules committee has decided to go along with the Redbird junior; liberos are serving starting this spring. That, and a different format for Illinois States traditional spring home volleyball event, are changes fans will notice at Saturdays 1:30 p.m. match with Kentucky at Redbird Arena. Previous schedules listed a later starting time.
In the past, the Kelly Meisner Tournament brought in several college teams playing on three courts throughout the day, which made fan support difficult because of limited seating areas. This year, Redbird coach Sharon Dingman has invited Kentucky--a member of the volleyball-tough Southeast Conference--to play against her team in a head-to-head match.
Like a lot of teams, were looking to make the spring season mirror the fall a bit more, said Dingman.
The Redbird spring home volleyball events traditionally honor the memory of Kelly Meisner, a former Redbird player who lost a battle to cancer in 1995. As part of what Dingman calls a play day the Redbirds will go from 10 a.m. to noon working on drills in more of a practice setting.
Dingmans Redbirds return 10 of 11 letterwinners from last year, including First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference middle blocker Emily Kabbes.
Emily has been very good and very consistent, said Dingman, who also has setter Kelly Rikli and White among six starters back. Rikli has been sharing time with freshman Jenny Graham, who was injured in the second weekend of the season in 2003 and likely will get to repeat her freshman year of eligibility.
Jenny has to get some playing time, said Dingman. Were getting a good look at what she can do.
Whites serving and the return of sophomore Lindley McDavid, who missed the 2003 season following knee surgery, are new things the fans will see against Kentucky.
Paige has done well this spring and she enjoys being able to serve, said Dingman. Were playing Lindley on the right side rather than in the middle where she was before (the surgery).
The Redbird coach, preparing for her fifth season at the helm of the Redbirds, believes her team is in excellent physical shape.
Our fitness level is probably as high, or higher, than its ever been, said Dingman, whose Redbirds were 19-14 last season, including 14 wins in their last 19 matches and a five-game victory over No. 12 Northern Iowa in the final regular-season weekend.
