NOTE: NO VOLLEYBALL PORTION OF THE WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE SEPT. 28 THE BIRDS WILL BE ON THE ROAD TO ST. LOUIS
Laura Doornbos smashed Northern Iowa for 14 kills in the final two games and Bradley for 13 in the last two games to help Illinois State beat the Panthers and the Braves over the weekend. For her 47 kills in nine games, Doornbos is honored as the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week.
The junior outside hitter from Bloomington had 20 kills against Bradley and matched her career high with 27 against Northern Iowa, including match point in a 15-13 rally game. She also had 12 digs, four blocks and three service aces for the Redbirds, who are 4-0 in the Missouri Valley and 9-2 overall.
Doornbos hit. 284 for the weekend, with 47 kills in 102 attempts with 18 errors. Her 30 points against Northern Iowa are No. 3 on the Redbird Arena list for most points in a home match by a Redbird player.
Its the first player of the week honor for Doornbos in her college career. Her Redbird teammate, Emily Kabbes, earned the honor two weeks ago. The 3,383 in attendance for Saturdays win over Northern Iowa also saw the Valley Freshman of the Week, the Panthers Danielle Brazda.
The Redbirds play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Saint Louis before returning home to play a conference match with Indiana State at 7 p.m. Friday. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Indiana State will play Pittsburgh in Redbird Arena. Then, the Birds play Pitt, co-Big East Conference champions with Notre Dame in 2003, at 1 p.m. Sunday.
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