Creighton and Drake Match Notes in PDF Format
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Sept. 28, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -- Coming off back-to-back victories over Southern Illinois and Saint Louis, the Illinois State volleyball team seeks to carry its momentum over to this weekend when they host Missouri Valley Conference foes Creighton and Drake at Redbird Arena. Friday's match against the Blue Jays will tip-off at 7 p.m., and Saturday's contest versus Drake is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The `Birds (6-8, 1-3 MVC) can match their season-best winning streak of three with a victory on Friday over the Blue Jays. Illinois State has dominated the all-time series with Creighton, 23-3, including a pair of victories last season.
Recording a victory over Creighton will be a difficult task, as the Blue Jays are off to their best start after 14 matches with an 11-3 mark. With victories over Evansville, Southern Illinois and Drake, Creighton has also posted its first-ever 3-0 start in Valley play.
The strength for Creighton this season has been up front. Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cvejdlik has come on strong leading the Jays in kills with 193 (3.71 kpg). Cvejdlik teams with preseason all-Valley selection Kelly Goc, who is second on the team in kills (176) and blocks (48). With Cvejdlik leading the way, the Blue Jays are tops in the conference in kills-per-game (16.42).
"Creighton's right side [Cvejdlik] is one of the best in the conference," head coach Sharon Dingman said. "Going up against a big front line like Saint Louis' definitely helped prepare us for this match.
"We have a lot of momentum coming off our last two matches. We just need to remember how we got it (the momentum) and keep it going."
The match against the `Birds will be the first for the Jays since Sunday when they played at Omaha's Qwest Center, home of the 2006 NCAA Volleyball Championships, versus No. 1 Nebraska. Creighton hung tough against the Huskers in front of 12,112, the second highest attendance mark at a regular season volleyball match, before falling 3-1.
"With a team like Creighton, there isn't a night off in our conference," Dingman said. "Creighton had Nebraska on the ropes much like we did against Florida. It was great to see a Valley team pressure the No. 1 team in the country."
On Saturday night, the `Birds welcome Drake (3-10, 0-3) to Normal for the 48th all-time match-up in the series. ISU owns the 42-5 advantage over Drake and has won the last 20 meetings between the two schools.
The start to Valley action has been rough for the Bulldogs as they have dropped their first three matches. Senior outside hitter Megan Veltman leads Drake on offense in kills (135), blocks (35) and hitting percentage (.212)
Fans will enjoy the opportunity to be involved in two promotional events this weekend. Illinois State is dubbing the Creighton match as "Pack the Arena" night. Admission will be free to any fan presenting a "Pack the Arena" coupon, which can be picked up at any of the following locations in Normal: Alamo II bookstore, Arby's, McDonald's, Taco Bell and Radio Bloomington.
Saturday's tilt with Drake is Heartland Community College Night. All faculty, staff and students of HCC can pick up one free ticket at the school's business office. Each additional ticket can be purchased at a discounted rate of $4. Fans are encouraged to bring their children early to the Drake match for "Meet Reggie Night." Fans can meet ISU's famed Reggie the Redbird from 6-7 p.m. at the `Fun Zone' located behind section G.
