NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team kicked off the 2016 season Wednesday morning, with ninth-year head coach Melissa Myers directing the first practice of the year.
The Redbirds will have just over two weeks before playing their first match of the season. Illinois State will travel to Los Angeles, California, Aug. 26-27 to play at the Loyola Marymount Invitational, facing the tournament host Aug. 26, and both UCLA and Niagara on Aug. 27.
Fourteen players reported to the team for the first day of practice Wednesday. Illinois State returns six of seven starters from last season, including: Ali Line, Jaelyn Keene, Courtney Pence, Jacqueline Twing, Aly Dawson and Lexi Varga. Other key returners include: Ratasha Garbes, Annchara Montgomery, Jordan Weatherless, Elianna Lovejoy and Lexi Wallen.
Additionally, three newcomers reported for the first day of practice: freshmen Ella Francis and Monica Miller, and junior transfer Megan Beutke.
The Redbirds return to the court after posting a 22-10 record last fall, marking the team's first back-to-back 20-win seasons in nearly 20 years.
After returning from Los Angeles, the Redbirds host Saint Louis on Aug. 31 in their home opener at Redbird Arena, beginning at 6 p.m.
Illinois State will also appear in tournaments at Missouri (Sept. 2-3), Middle Tennessee (Sept. 9-10) and Northern Iowa (Sept. 16-17) before beginning Missouri Valley Conference play. The Redbirds will play their first league match at Northern Iowa on Sept. 16.
The Redbirds will then host their first conference match at Redbird Arena on Sept. 23 against Loyola.
The season will conclude with the MVC Tournament, hosted by Northern Iowa, Nov. 24-26.
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