Bradley Match Notes in PDF Format
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Oct. 11, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -- With the opportunity to return to the .500 mark, the Illinois State volleyball team returns home Thursday to Redbird Arena seeking its seventh straight victory over in-state rival Bradley at 7 p.m.
The `Birds (8-9, 3-4 Valley) are playing arguably their best volleyball of the season, winning four out of their last five matches. During the stretch, head coach Sharon Dingman has seen great improvement in the squad's blocking, serving and kills, which has directly related to the team's success.
"We're playing really well right now and have found our groove," Dingman said. "Everyone understands their roles and we are excited to get back on the court."
The Redbirds will be looking to continue their strong play as Bradley travels to Normal for the 41st meeting in the all-time series.
The rivalry game against the Braves (4-14, 1-6 MVC) is always a big match, no matter how each team has fared up to that point of the season.
"We understand that Bradley is a big rival for us and that a lot of our players know players on their team," Dingman said. "We need to come ready to play because a Scott Luster [Bradley head coach] team is always prepared."
Despite the Braves' struggles this season, BU will provide match up problems with their play at the net and their defense.
Seniors Kelly Niemeyer and Amber DeBroux have been a force up front. In the current Missouri Valley statistics, Niemeyer and DeBroux rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in kills per game. Defensively, the Braves are fourth in the Valley in digs (17.29 dpg). They have been led by senior Jennifer Bohan, who is seventh in the conference with 4.22 digs per game, and Niemeyer, who is ninth with 3.85 digs per game.
"They (Bradley) are going to challenge us, but I like the match up because we are defending the outside well," Dingman explained. "We can take a lot from the Saint Louis match because they had two great outside hitters like Amber and Kelly.
"I'm encouraged going into the match because M.C. (Richmond) and Erin's (Lindsey) blocking has been coming along and our backcourt defense continues to be a real strength."
Currently, Bradley is tied for eighth in the conference with Indiana State, who the `Birds dispatched 3-0 on Saturday. The Braves' lone Valley win came on October 6 at Drake (3-0). BU started strong winning three of their first five matches before dropping 11 consecutive matches from Sep.2-Oct.6.
