Nov. 15, 2007
Illinois State Weekend Match Notes in PDF Format 
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball team will have the opportunity to shake up the 2007 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament field this weekend, when the Redbirds host two foes battling for the final spot in next week's tournament (Nov. 23-24) at Hammons Student Center in Springfield, Mo. ISU collides with Evansville (13-14, 6-10 MVC) Friday, and will take on in-state rival Southern Illinois (14-14, 6-10 MVC) on Senior Day Saturday. First serve of both matches is set for 7:05 p.m. from Redbird Arena.
Senior middle blockers Kristin Dziubla and Kari Staehlin will each be honored prior to the match against the Salukis. Dziubla has started 20 career matches, and played in 144 career games, over the past four seasons. As a junior, she set career-highs in games played (49) kills (65), service aces (4), assists (7), digs (22), blocks (43) and points (90.5).
Staehlin enters this weekend ranked fourth all-time in career hitting percentage (.298), eighth in blocks per game (1.07), second in career points (1573.5) and ninth in kills (1,286). Her 419 total blocks rank eighth all-time.
The Redbirds have already locked up the No. 5 seed in the Valley Tournament. ISU's opponent in the quarterfinals, the fourth seed, is yet to be determined, based on the following scenarios.
• Creighton would earn the No. 4 seed if Northern Iowa defeats Wichita State (Nov. 16) and Missouri State defeats UNI (Nov. 17)
• Creighton would also be No. 4 if it loses to Drake (Nov. 16) and MSU defeats Bradley (Nov. 16) or UNI (Nov. 17)
• Missouri State would earn the fourth-seed if Drake and Missouri State loses to both Bradley and UNI
• Northern Iowa is the No. 4 seed if Creighton defeats Drake; MSU beats Bradley; and UNI and Wichita State defeat UNI
"We are looking forward to this weekend's matches and the chance to honor our two seniors, Kari Staehlin and Kristin Dziubla," said head coach Sharon Dingman. "Plus, even though we have secured our seed in the tournament, the seeding for every other position depends on the outcomes of this weekend's matches.
"It is going to be really fun for us to compete against the two teams attempting to secure the sixth spot. That should be very inspiring to our players, as we play a very important role in the postseason fate of those two teams. We are approaching this weekend very similar to how we have the past several weekends - we need to continue to improve and prepare for the tournament, where we will be forced to play two matches in the same day should we advance."
Illinois State (17-10, 9-7 MVC) is coming off last Thursday's three-game sweep over visiting Indiana State. Junior setter Erin Lindsey recorded her 4,000th career set-assist in the match, as ISU recorded its third sweep in as many Valley wins.
Evansville enters this weekend seeking its second-consecutive berth in the Valley Tournament, after clinching the sixth and final seed last November at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds outlasted the Purple Aces in five-games (24-30, 26-30, 30-24, 30-25 and 15-10) Sept. 15 at the Carson Center for their 26th victory in the 27-match history of the all-time series.
Southern Illinois has lost five of its last seven matches, but wins in two of its last three decisions have kept the Salukis alive for the final seed in the conference tournament. ISU recorded a four-game win (30-25, 30-20, 26-30 and 30-26) over SIU in the Valley opener at Davies Gym Sept. 14. The `Birds lead the all-time series against the Salukis, 58-5.
