NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team will seek its first undefeated season in Missouri Valley Conference play when it hosts Missouri State and Wichita State in the final weekend of regular-season play.
The Redbirds host Missouri State Friday and Wichita State Saturday at Redbird Arena. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
Illinois State can become the third MVC team to record an undefeated season in conference play with a pair of wins this weekend, joining Northern Iowa and Wichita State. Illinois State clinched the MVC regular-season title, and the No. 1 seed at next week's MVC Championship, with its Nov. 15 win at Northern Iowa.
"Our team knows it has a tough challenge this weekend with two talented and competitive teams," said head coach Melissa Myers. "We hope fans come out to support this team for our final home matches of the season."
Illinois State (22-5, 16-0 MVC) has won 18-consecutive matches, which is the fourth-longest winning streak in program history and the third-longest active winning streak in Division I volleyball. The Redbirds can match the program's second-longest winning streak with a win Friday, and are just three wins away from matching the longest winning streak in program history.
Illinois State's Kaitlyn Early was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row on Monday, while Emily Orrick earned MVC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the fourth time this season. Both players will be honored after Saturday's match, as Illinois State celebrates its six seniors, a group that also includes Sierra Burris, Stacey Niao, Emily Schneider and Eliza Smith.
Missouri State (18-10, 11-5 MVC) has already clinched a spot in the MVC Championship, and can finish the season anywhere between second and fifth in the league standings, depending on the outcome of this weekend's matches. The Bears own a 47-43 edge in the career series against Illinois State. The Redbirds took a 3-0 win over Missouri State in the last meeting, on Sept. 20 in Springfield, Missouri.
Wichita State (18-8, 12-4 MVC) has also reserved its spot in the conference tournament, and can finish the season anywhere between second and fourth in the MVC. Illinois State owns a 33-27 all-time record against the Shockers, and scored a 3-0 win over Wichita State in the most recent meeting, on Sept. 19 in Wichita, Kansas.
Friday's match will be Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night, with season ticket holders receiving an extra ticket and free popcorn, and all fans are encouraged to bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Saturday will be Fan Appreciation Night, as prizes will be raffled off throughout the match.
Additionally, fans attending Illinois State's home football game Saturday afternoon will be granted free admission to Saturday's match with their football ticket stub.
Live stats, audio and video for both of this weekend's matches can be found online at GoRedbirds.com.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.Â
