Oct. 27, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. -The Illinois State volleyball team (14-9 6-5 MVC) will take on Missouri Valley Conference opponents Drake and Creighton in a two-match series this weekend. The Redbirds will play Drake Friday at 7:05 p.m. (CST), followed by Creighton Saturday at 7:05 p.m. (CST).
The Redbirds split their matches last weekend, sweeping Bradley and falling to No. 12 Northern Iowa. Illinois State displayed powerful performances from pin hitters LeighAnn Hranka, Shannon McGlaughlin and Angela Rego. The trio combined for 65 kills and 65 percent of ISU’s team kills. Hranka and McGlaughlin both recorded double-digit kills in both matches and Rego produced hitting percentages of above .300 in consecutive nights. Kristin Stauter posed as an offensive threat, after recording a season and career-high .857 hitting percentage. On seven attempts against Bradley, Stauter recorded six kills and no errors. Illinois State has upheld its defensive efforts and ranks third in the Valley in opponent hitting percentage (.161) and fourth in blocking with 2.26 blocks per set.
“Heading into this weekend, we know we are playing two teams whose strengths are defense,” said head coach Melissa Myers. “I think it will be a challenge and our offense will be a key component. We need to make sure we are being efficient and staying in system as long as we can.”
Drake has won its past two matches, defeating Evansville and Southern Illinois, and has recorded three-straight MVC victories. The Bulldogs haven’t tallied three-straight conference victories since the 2009 season. Drake is led offensively by Whitney Westrum with 269 kills and 2.86 kills per set. Westrum posted 24 kills, 27 digs, and four services aces in two matches against UE and SIU. Setter Caitlin Johnson aided the Bulldog’s offensive efforts after recording 31 assists, 14 digs and a .571 hitting percentage against Evansville, followed by 34 assists and 10 digs against SIU. Drake ranks sixth in the Valley with an overall record of 9-16 and a 5-6 MVC record.
Creighton holds the third place spot in the Valley and is coming off two wins against Southern Illinois and Evansville. Heather Thorson led the Bluejays recording 13 kills and four blocks against SIU and 14 kills for a .363 hitting percentage against Evansville. Setter Megan Bober recorded her fifth triple-double of the season against Southern Illinois after compiling 19 kills, 28 assists, and 11 digs. Bober ranks first on the team in assists (552) and second in digs (194). Creighton ranks in the top-five in all MVC statistical categories. The Bluejays have an overall record of 13-10 and an 8-3 record in conference play.
The Illinois State Athletic department will host a Chipotle “Big Game” Friday and will hand out buy one burrito, get one free coupons for the Chipotle in Normal. One lucky student will receive a burrito party for 10. Saturday the Redbirds will host their annual “Pink Night” in honor of breast cancer awareness. Admission will be $1, along with $1 hotdogs and $1 pink lemonade.
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