Nov. 19, 2009
| WICHITA STATE (21-5, 12-4 MVC) vs. ILLINOIS STATE (12-15, 7-9 MVC) |
| Date |
November 20 // 7:05 p.m. |
| Location |
Redbird Arena // Normal, Ill. |
| Radio |
WJBC |
| Video |
Redbird All-Access |
| Live Stats |
GameTracker |
| Game Notes |
Illinois State // Wichita State |
| MISSOURI STATE (19-9, 12-4 MVC) vs. ILLINOIS STATE (12-15, 7-9 MVC) |
| Date |
November 7 // 7 p.m. |
| Location |
Redbird Arena // Normal, Ill. |
| Radio |
WJBC |
| Video |
Redbird All-Access |
| Live Stats |
GameTracker |
| Game Notes |
Illinois State // Missouri State |
REDBIRDS-SHOCKERS SERIES
Illinois State leads the all-time series with Wichita State, 29-19. The Redbirds won 27 of the first 31 meetings in the series, which began in 1977, including 16-straight from 1992-2001. ISU won 10 matches in straight-sets during that streak. Wichita State has won 15 of the last 17 meetings, eight in straight-sets, dating back to 2002. ISU is 1-4 against the Shockers when they are nationally-ranked.
REDBIRDS-LADY BEARS SERIES
Missouri State holds a slight edge in the all-time series with Illinois State, 39-37. The series began in 1974 and the two teams have met annually since. Illinois State won nine-straight matches from 1996-99, which was also the last time the Redbirds swept the season series. The Lady Bears have won 17 of the last 20 meetings, including all three matches last season. Missouri State eliminated the Redbirds from the State Farm MVC Tournament in straight-sets.
FINAL PUSH FOR MVC TOURNAMENT
The final weekend of Missouri Valley Conference play has arrived and Illinois State's postseason future still hangs in the balance. The Redbirds enter the weekend in sixth place with a 7-9 record, but could finish anywhere from fifth to seventh. With all of the possible scenarios, one thing is certain: Illinois State needs a win.
Southern Illinois has the tiebreaker over ISU right now, so if neither teams wins a match this weekend, the Salukis will be the No. 6 seed.
If SIU beats Evansville, ISU needs to win at least one match, but a win over Missouri State or Wichita State could put the Redbirds in. Assuming that Southern Illinois beats Evansville, an ISU win over Missouri State would put the Redbirds in.
If Illinois State wins both matches, the Redbirds are in, regardless of the SIU-Evansville outcome, and could be seeded as high as fifth, depending on how Creighton and Drake perform.
CLOSING IN ON 300
Illinois State comes into the final weekend of the 2009 regular season with 299 Missouri Valley Conference wins. ISU is just one win away from becoming the third team with 300 Valley victories, joining Northern Iowa and Missouri State. The Lady bears surpassed the 300 mark last weekend. Illinois State is 299-102 all-time in Valley play.
LEGGETT MAKES IT HAPPEN
With players lost to graduation and injuries, junior Mallory Leggett entered the 2009 season as Illinois State's most proven offensive weapon. Leggett has lived up to that billing, leading the Redbirds in kills (346), kills per set (3.57) aces (42) and points (411.5). Leggett has recorded double-digit kills in 19 matches, including the first six of the season, and was named to the all-tournament team in all three ISU tournaments. Usually this season, as Leggett's production goes, so do the Redbirds, as she has had double-digit kills in 10 of ISU's 12 wins. Leggett has collected 20 kills in two of the last four matches and had a season-high .556 hitting percentage against Bradley (Nov. 7).
