Nov. 20, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State, Southern Illinois and Evansville clash at Redbird Arena this weekend in a three-team playoff of sorts, with the final two spots in the State Farm Missouri Valley Tournament undecided and the three teams separated by a single match. The Redbirds are tied with Evansville for fifth place in the Valley and will try to hold off sixth-place Southern Illinois at 7:05 p.m. Friday, before hosting the Purple Aces at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.
Illinois State (14-14, 7-9 MVC) swept past both teams on the road to open conference play and need to win at least one match to secure a berth in the six-team field for next week's tournament in Wichita, Kan. The Redbirds are the only team in Valley history to have qualified for all 26 conference tournaments.
Illinois State enters Friday's contest with the Salukis (16-11, 6-10) on the heels of an eight-day layoff, its longest rest of the season. The Redbirds last played Thursday, Nov. 13, and swept Indiana State at Redbird Arena. Junior outside hitter Peggy Riessen leads the Redbirds and is second in the Valley with 3.78 kills per set in conference matches. Riessen also averages 3.97 digs per set and is one of only two players in the conference in the top-10 in both kills and digs per set. Senior setter Erin Lindsey is second in Valley matches with 10.98 set-assists per set.
Southern Illinois' offense is led by Jennifer Berwanger, who registered her second-highest hitting percentage of the season while collecting 18 kills in a sweep over Drake Saturday (Nov. 15). Saluki middle blocker Chandra Roberson has recorded 112 blocks this season while also contributing 2.66 kills per set.
The Redbirds will honor their senior class - Lindsey, Amy Olson, and M.C. Richmond - following Saturday's match-up with Evansville (13-16, 7-9 MVC). The Purple Aces have dropped four-consecutive road matches and travel to Indiana State Friday (Nov. 21)
On Friday, Illinois State is conducting a canned food drive. Any fans bringing a canned food item to the match against the Salukis, will receive a free ticket to Saturday's match with the Purple Aces. In addition to Saturday's senior night, the Redbirds will hold "Fan Appreciation Night," with free prize drawings throughout the match.
