Sept. 1, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball team will travel to Martin, Tenn., this weekend, Sept.2-3, to compete in the Skyhawk Invitational. The Redbirds will open against Stephen F. Austin Friday at 11 a.m. (CST) and play Alabama-Birmingham at 5 p.m. (CST). Illinois State will face host, Tennessee-Martin, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (CST).
"Although we have lost two matches, it was great to be able to gain experience and see improvements throughout the matches,” head coach Melissa Myers said. “Hopefully we learn something from the matches and it will continue to help us grow and develop throughout the season.”
Illinois State enters the weekend with a 2-2 overall record after defeating Southern Illinois Edwardsville (3-1) in its home-opener Tuesday. The Redbirds are the only team at the invitational with more than one loss.
“We need to be able to earn points this weekend,” Myers said. “As a team we need to establish who we are going to be this season and not expect anything to be given to us.”
Stephen F. Austin opened its season with a 4-0 start at the Georgia Southern Tournament. Sabrina Burns recorded 35 kills and Madison Hanlan tallied 71 digs earning the two juniors a spot on the Georgia Southern All-Tournament team. SFA recorded its first loss of the season in five sets against Louisiana-Monroe Wednesday. The loss snapped a 34 match winning streak between SFA and ULM. The Ladyjacks return four starters and add seven newcomers under the direction of head coach Debbie Humphreys.
UAB starts out the weekend 3-0 after defeating Akron, Arkansas State and UNC Ashville at the UAB/Samford Invitational. The Blazers four pin hitters combined for 83 of their 129 kills on the weekend. Head coach Kerry Messersmith returns four starters and adds six newcomers to the 2011 roster.
Tennessee-Martin captured its 3-0 record after beating Southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi State and Southern Illinois. Five Skyhawk players recorded a combination of over 25 kills and digs on the weekend. UTM returns four starters with the addition of seven newcomers under head coach Darrin McClure.
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