ST. LOUIS – Illinois State volleyball players Jaelyn Keene and Stef Jankiewicz have been named Missouri Valley Conference players of the week, the league announced Monday. Keene was named the MVC Player of the Week for the first time this season and fifth time in her career, while Jankiewicz earned the honor for the fourth time this season and third week in a row.
Keene, a senior middle blocker from Jacksonville, Illinois, played a leading role in guiding Illinois State to a pair of MVC wins over the weekend, leading her team in kills in both matches, while setting a Redbird Arena record in Saturday's victory. For the weekend, Keene averaged 5.12 kills per set on a .411 hitting percentage, to go along with four aces and averages of 1.25 digs and 1.12 blocks per set.
But it was Keene's performance in a win over Valparaiso Saturday that stood out, as she tallied a career-high 29 kills in the Redbird win, matching the Illinois State Redbird Arena record for kills in a match. The kill total is tied for the fourth most by a Redbird in school history, regardless of venue.
Keene currently ranks among the top 10 in The Valley in hitting percentage (.324), kills per set (3.95), aces per set (0.36) and blocks per set (1.01), and leads the league in total aces (27) and points per set (4.88).
A freshman setter from Farmington Hills, Michigan, Jankiewicz tallied the most assists by an MVC player in a league match this season as she distributed 60 assists in the Redbirds' win over Valparaiso Saturday. Jankiewicz averaged 10.38 assists per set over the weekend, while helping Illinois State to a 2-0 record. Jankiewicz also chipped in 24 digs (3.00 per set), four kills, two blocks and an ace over the two matches.
The Redbirds' freshman setter currently ranks second in The Valley in assists, at 10.45 this season.
Illinois State is in action Monday night at Indiana State at 6 p.m. CT. The Redbirds return home to face Bradley Friday at 7 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets for this weekend's matches online at GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, by calling (309) 438-8000, or by visiting the ticket office, located at the north entrance to Redbird Arena.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.Â
