NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team is set for its first matches of the year this weekend as it travels to the Oregon Tournament in Eugene, Oregon. The Redbirds will take on Central Arkansas Friday, before playing matches against Ohio State and host Oregon Saturday.
The Redbirds open up with Central Arkansas, a 2013 NCAA Tournament qualifier, at 6:30 p.m. (CST) Friday. ISU will face Ohio State at 1 p.m. (CST), and Oregon at 5 p.m. (CST), on Saturday.
The team is excited to compete this weekend," said ISU head coach Melissa Myers. "It's going to be a tough tournament, but we're looking forward to the challenge."
Illinois State returns four starters and its libero from last year's team, which posted an overall record of 19-13 and a Missouri Valley Conference mark of 11-7. Ashley Rosch was named an All-MVC First Team selection for the second-straight year, and Emily Orrick was named the MVC Libero of the Year, in addition to earning All-MVC First Team honors.
Starting middle hitter Emily Schneider and starting outside hitter Stacey Niao also return for the Redbirds, along with senior setter Kaitlyn Early. They will be joined by an incoming class of five freshmen and one junior transfer.
Central Arkansas went 29-4 in 2013 and won the Southland Conference with a perfect 18-0 league record. The Bears advanced to the NCAA Tournament, but lost to Purdue in the opening round. Ohio State was 6-14 in Big Ten play, but 18-14 overall, after winning all of its nonconference matches in 2013.
Oregon was 20-12 overall and 12-8 in the Pac-12, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2013. The Ducks defeated Miami in the opening round, before bowing out to Nebraska in the second round.
All matches can be heard live at: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/isu/.
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