Aug. 18, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
NORMAL, Ill. - The 2006 Illinois State volleyball team will take the court competitively for the first time this summer when it holds the annual Red vs. White scrimmage Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. at Redbird Arena.
Following the scrimmage, head coach Sharon Dingman hopes to have a better idea of which players will complete her starting lineup as the regular season approaches. According to Dingman, setter Erin Lindsey, middle blockers M.C. Richmond and Kari Staehlin and outside hitter Lindley McDavid have all locked up starting spots. The opposing outside hitter and libero positions remain highly competitive throughout preseason practices.
"The final two spots, libero, and the final outside hitter position, are becoming increasingly difficult to judge who will emerge as starters," said Dingman. "Kelly Waterstraat and Kasey Mollerus are both playing at a very high level, both are performing consistently, and statistically [we chart every practice], their numbers are similar. Regardless of which one is our libero, the other one will get significant playing time. Those are two players we need on the floor. Manoela Vieira DaCunha will also be on the floor a lot this season, and has a chance to start, either on the left or right side.
"One of the things we will be looking to focus on during the scrimmage is how we can use our strengths on the defensive side of the ball to help our offense. We need to establish some consistency in that area."
The scrimmage is scheduled to run for two hours, and will consist of three 30-point games and one 15-point game. The Redbirds open the 2006 season next Friday, Aug. 25, versus Illinois in the first-round of the State Farm Illini Classic. It is the fourth consecutive year that the `Birds will open the season against Illinois.
The scrimmage kicks off a busy weekend for Redbird athletics. The second annual Redbird Fan Fair will run from 5-7 p.m. at "The Plaza," located between Redbird Arena and Horton Field House. At 7 p.m., the Illinois State football team will hold its annual Red vs. White scrimmage at Hancock Stadium. Sunday's Walk of Champions, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the ISU quad, wraps up the weekend festivities.
