Sept. 29, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball team (9-7) will match up against Creighton and Drake this weekend in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Redbirds will face Creighton, Friday at 7 p.m. (CST), followed by Drake, Saturday at 7 p.m. (CST).
Illinois State notched its first win of Valley play against Bradley Sunday. The Redbirds finished the weekend 1-1 after falling to No. 14 Northern Iowa Friday, but coming back to defeat Bradley in four sets. Illinois State has found success from sophomores Shannon McGlaughlin and LeighAnn Hranka from the pin attack. The duo has combined for 359 kills this season, including 49 kills last weekend. McGlaughlin has already recorded six double-doubles in only 16 matches compared to 10 throughout 33 total matches in 2010. Senior setter Kristin Stauter has also posted a fair amount of double-doubles this season, compiling eight (digs/assists) compared to 14 in her first three seasons as a Redbird. Illinois State ranks third in the Valley in blocks (2.32 per set) and opponenet hitting percentage (.163).
"We are going to have to be consistent," said head coach Melissa Myers. "It is going to be a tough weekend, but we are really excited to compete against two strong opponents."
Creighton has opened Valley play 3-0 after defeating Evansville and Southern Illinois last weekend. The team has won seven of its past 10 matches after switching to a 6-2 offense, with junior Megan Bober and freshman Michelle Sicner. The Bluejays are led offensively by senior Laurel Sanford with 127 kills (2.4 per set) and a .318 hitting percentage. Creighton ranks second in the Valley with 17.08 digs per set, helped by sophomore libero Julianne Mandolfo who has posted 298 digs and leads the MVC with 5.62 digs per set. The Bluejays return four starters with the addition of five newcomers after finishing with an overall record of 21-12 in 2010.
Drake is off to a 1-2 MVC start after compiling its first Valley win against Evansville. Freshman Erin Roggenburg aided the Purple Aces in their first win after notching her first-career kill and adding 11 more in the five-set victory. Junior Whitney Westrum serves as the Bulldog's offensive threat, leading the team in kills (184), kills per set (3.02) and solo blocks (13). Senior Caitlin Johnson has notched 600 assists this season for an average of 9.38 assists per set. Drake finished with an overall record 23-11 in 2010 and adds four newcomers to the roster.
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