Aug. 25, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball team will open the 2011 season at the Wolverine Invitational this weekend, Aug. 26-27, hosted by Utah Valley at Orem, Utah. Illinois State will face three opponents for the first time in school history at the invitational. The Redbirds will open against Utah Valley Friday at 8 p.m. (CST). On Saturday, ISU will face Northern Arizona at 11 a.m. (CST) and Cal State Bakersfield at 5:30 p.m. (CST).
"We have added a lot of height to the roster this season, which definitely changes the dynamic of our team," head coach Melissa Myers said. "Blocking is a lot different in our gym now then it has been in the past. It is where I've seen the biggest difference and something we are excited about."
Illinois State was picked fifth in the 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing the 2010 season with an overall record of 19-14. The Redbirds return five starters and eight players who saw action last season and welcome seven newcomers to the roster.
"It's a good opening tournament for us," Myers said. "I think we are a young and need to be able to get out there and see really good competition."
Utah Valley is coming off a second place finish in the Great West Conference with a 9-3 mark and an overall record of 21-11. The Wolverines return four starters, including top-returning attacker Chelsea Heaps. Head coach Sam Atoa also adds seven newcomers to the Wolverine roster.
Northern Arizona returns four starters and eight letterwinners, after losing only one senior to graduation. Top returners for the Lumberjacks include; setter Kelli Dallmann, libero Anna Gott and Lexi Sullivan. NAU finished the 2010 season under head coach Craig Choate with an overall record of 10-16 and posted a 6-10 finish in the Big Sky Conference.
Cal State Bakersfield enters its second season as a full NCAA Division-I program. The Roadrunners finished the 2010 season 0-31, after competing in independent division matches during the entire 2010 season. CSU Bakersfield returns four starters from last season under the direction of head coach Jolene Shepardson.
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