Sept. 15, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball team (8-4) will face Missouri State and Wichita State for the first weekend of Missouri Valley Conference play. The Redbirds will open against Missouri State, Friday at 7 p.m. (CST) followed by Wichita State, Saturday at 7 p.m. (CST).
Illinois State is coming off of a 3-0 sweep against Loyola (Chicago) Tuesday. The Redbirds were led by sophomore Shannon McGlaughlin who recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 18 kills and 12 digs. McGlaughlin leads the team in kills (175), kills per set (3.65 per set) and points (193.5) this season. Sophomore Brooklyn Hlafka added eight kills, while junior Jenny Menendez matched 12 digs to aid ISU in a three-set victory.
“Heading into conference play, we need to be more focused on the process of helping this team be more efficient offensively,” said head coach Melissa Myers. “Our main objective for the next couple days is getting back to the basics of serve and serve receive; which will in turn help our offense be effective.”
Missouri State is coming off a 3-1 weekend at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational in Springfield, Mo. The Bears defeated Arkansas State, Hofstra, and South Dakota State, but fell to Kansas State in five sets. MSU is led offensively by junior Karen Rivatto with 108 kills (3.38 per set) and sophomore Christine McCartney with 106 (3.03 per set). Seniors Callie Norman and Kelley Michnowicz had complied 151 kills and rank among MSU’s top five in career hitting percentage. The duo has hit at least .300 a combined 109 times since they joined the Bears in 2008.
The Bears have an overall record of 7-3, after finishing fourth (12-6) in the MVC in 2010. MSU fell to Auburn in three sets in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball postseason. Missouri State returns four starters with the addition of six newcomers.
Wichita State defeated No. 22 Oklahoma in five sets Wednesday. The Shockers were led by junior Emily Adney with 22 kills and senior Sarah Waldorf with 33 digs. Senior setter Mary Elizabeth Hooper ranks first on the team in assists (329) and led all players with 64 assists against Oklahoma. Outside hitter, senior Camri Zwiesler and Adney combine for 216 of the Shockers’ 469 total kills.
WSU has an overall record of 5-4 after tying for second (14-4) in the MVC in 2010. The Shockers were defeated by Oklahoma in three sets in the first round of the NCAA post season. Wichita State returns four starters and adds four newcomers to the roster.
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