Oct. 31, 2005
St. Louis, Mo. -
Freshman Erin Lindsey has earned her way into the Illinois State volleyball record book several times this season. And, with her selection as this week's State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week, the 5-foot-7 setter matched a conference record as well with her fourth selection in eight weeks this season.
A year ago, 2004 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the year Danielle Brazda of Northern Iowa established a record by earning freshman of the week honors four times in the first year of the weekly honor. With three more weeks left in the regular season, Lindsey has matched that mark, having earned the honor Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10 and today.
The St. Louis, Mo., native and Eureka High School graduate guided Illinois State to a 2-1 record including the Redbirds 10th and 11th straight Missouri Valley Conference victories last week.
Despite losing her No. 1 percentage hitter--sophomore middle blocker Kari Staehlin--to mononucleosis, Lindsey still connected with her other hitters for 13.58 set assists per game while averaging 2.08 digs, 0.42 blocks and 0.33 service aces for Illinois State last week.
Lindsey spread the wealth--seven Redbird hitters had at least 13 kills last week. She also called her own number--Lindsey had 10 kills herself during those three matches. As of last week, the ISU setter ranked No. 20 in the nation in set assists per game--No. 1 among freshman setters.
She had 64 assists, 13 digs, five kills and four blocks assists in a mid-week tilt at Northern Illinois. Against Evansville, the setter posted 58 assists and six digs. She added 41 assists, six digs and a pair of services aces in a win over Southern Illinois as the Redbirds hit .340 as a team for the match.
With 1,156 set assists, Lindsey has a shot at the Valley freshman record of 1,469 set by Missouri State's Chenille Bayless in 1999. Her 13.14 set assists per game put her within reach of the Valley record of 13.18 by ISU's Marisa Brickley in 1996.
It was a `setter's sweep' in Valley volleyball awards this week as Missouri State senior setter Ashley Warren earned State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week honors after leading the Bears to wins over Creighton and Drake.
Illinois State, 15-8 overall, 11-2 in conference play, goes back into Valley play on the road this weekend with a 7 p.m. Friday match at Bradley and a 7 p.m. Saturday match at Northern Iowa. ISU has won 11 straight Valley matches.
