The 56th renewal of the Illinois State-Illinois volleyball series begins the 2005 Illinois State University volleyball schedule. The Redbirds and Illini open the season at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26 in Redbird Arena, where Illinois State continues to rank among the nations Top 10 in home attendance over the past decade.
The season continues with the 5th Annual Barker GMC Classic Sept. 2-3 in Redbird Arena. The Redbirds will try to defend their Barker Classic title against Western Kentucky, Western Illinois and Kent State. The Hilltoppers were one of only three non-Valley teams to beat the Redbirds, who were 22-9 in 2004. Western Illinois has five of its seven starters returning, including former Mt. Pulaski standout Mary Olson.
Redbird coach Sharon Dingman, who returns five starters from a team that finished runner-up in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2004, is looking forward to starting the season with Illinois and the Barker GMC Classic.
The Illinois-Illinois State match is great for volleyball in our state. Our (2004) Western Kentucky match was one of the most exciting of the year, even though we didnt win,said Dingman. While our area players (including seniors
Laura Doornbos and
Emily Kabbes) have a great fan following, its always exciting to have other area high school players come back with their teams to play in the Barker Classic.
Kent State will mark the return of former University High School star Anne Butts, a four-year starting setter for the Golden Flashes. Butts played on U-Highs 1999 and 2000 IHSA Class A State Championship teams while breaking the state mark for career set assists. The Redbirds follow with a tournament at Michigan which includes Akron and Cleveland State. The Wolverines, 20-13 last season, join Illinois and Notre Dame as the three Redbird non-conference opponents who were in the NCAA Tournament last year.
One of our goals is always to get the Valleys automatic bid, but, if that doesnt happen, our schedule gives us opportunities to get in, said Dingman. We have two Big Ten teams (Illinois and Michigan) and Notre Dame who consistently get into the tournament. The strength of the Valley should mean at least two teams getting in. Our schedule puts us in the best possible position to help ourselves and help our conference.
In addition to Kabbes, a four-year starter at middle blocker, the Redbirds also return three-year starters Doornbos,
Savannah Knowles and
Ashley Grubb along with 2004 Valley All-Freshman Team selection
Kari Staehlin.
The Valley schedule couldnt start any tougher as Illinois State opens on the road, visiting defending conference champion Wichita State and Missouri State (formerly SMS) on back-to-back nights, Sept. 16 and 17. The Bears tied with Illinois State for second place in the Valley last year. Illinois States Valley home schedule starts Sept. 23 against Drake, the first visit for new Bulldogs head coach Amy Farber-Knowles.
Other non-conference opponents include traditional rivals Notre Dame and Northern Illinois, plus new Atlantic 10 member Saint Louis. Continuing fan support fuels Dingmans diligence in scheduling.
Our program has such a deep appreciation for our fans, said Dingman. Our goal is to provide them with the competition and entertainment they deserve and we do that by bringing in great teams and playing hard. Our fans will see a lot of both this season.
Season ticket orders for Redbird volleyball are being accepted at the Redbird Arena Ticket Office, at (309) 438-8000.
2005 Ilinois State University Volleyball Schedule
Date Day Opponent Time
A 26 Fri. Illinois 7 p.m.
Barker GMC Classic at Redbird Arena
S 2 Fri. Western Illinois vs. Western Kentucky 5 p.m.
S 2 Fri. Kent State at Illinois State 7 p.m.
S 3 Sat. Western Kentucky vs. Kent State 10 a.m.
S 3 Sat. Western Illinois at Illinois State noon
S 3 Sat. Kent State vs. Western Illinois 5 p.m.
S 3 Sat. Western Kentucky at Illinois State 7 p.m.
Nike/Pepsi Invitational at Ann Arbor, Mich.
S 9 Fri. Illinois State vs. Cleveland State 10 a.m.
S 9 Fri. Akron at Michigan noon
S 9 Fri. Illinois State vs. Akron 4 p.m.
S 9 Fri. Cleveland State at Michigan 6:30 p.m.
S 10 Sat. Cleveland State vs. Akron 3:30 p.m.
S 10 Sat. Illinois State at Michigan 6:30 p.m.
S 16 Fri. at Wichita State 7 p.m.
S 17 Sat. at Missouri State 7 p.m.
S 23 Fri. Drake 7 p.m.
S 25 Sun. Creighton 2 p.m.
S 27 Tue. at Saint Louis 7 p.m.
S 30 Fri. at Southern Illinois 7 p.m.
O 1 Sat. at Evansville 7 p.m.
O 7 Fri. Northern Iowa 7 p.m.
O 8 Sat. Bradley 7 p.m.
O 15 Sat. Indiana State 7 p.m.
O 17 Mon. Notre Dame 7 p.m.
O 21 Fri. at Creighton 7 p.m.
O 22 Sat. at Drake 7 p.m.
O 25 Tue. at Northern Illinois 7 p.m.
O 28 Fri. Evansville 7 p.m.
O 29 Sat. Southern Illinois 7 p.m.
N 4 Fri. at Bradley 7 p.m.
N 5 Sat. at Northern Iowa 7 p.m.
N 11 Fri. at Indiana State 7 p.m.
N 18 Fri. Missouri State 7 p.m.
N 19 Sat. Wichita State 7 p.m.
State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tourney at Cedar Falls, Iowa
N 25 Fri. Quarterfinals
N 25 Fri. Semifinals
N 26 Sat. Championship
All times Central
