Match Notes 
Nov. 6, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State closes the road portion of its Missouri Valley Conference schedule this weekend with matches at Drake and Creighton. The Redbirds will attempt a season-sweep of the Bulldogs Friday at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa, and look to salvage a season split with Creighton at the Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Neb., Saturday.
Illinois State (12-13, 5-8 MVC) has won 24 consecutive matches against Drake (9-17, 2-10 MVC) and swept the Bulldogs at Redbird Arena (Oct. 11), a day after losing a five-set match with Creighton (12-8, 9-3 MVC). Despite a 1-3 record in the second half of conference play, Illinois State head coach Melissa Myers has seen her team improve.
"As we proceed in the second half of the MVC, we're continuing to focus on our goal of playing sharper, more intelligent volleyball," Myers said. "The team has made progress and the players understand the need to control the aspects of our game that we can control, limiting unforced errors, and giving a consistent and focused effort every match we play."
The Redbirds remain in contention for a berth in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Wichita, Kan., with five games remaining in the regular season. Illinois State closes the season with three consecutive home matches.
