NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team will make its longest trip of the 2017 regular-season as it heads to Tucson, Arizona, to compete at the Wildcat Classic Friday and Saturday in the Redbirds' final nonconference matches before the start of Missouri Valley Conference play.
The Redbirds will take on New Mexico State and William & Mary on Friday before a clash with host Arizona on Saturday. All three matches will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.
"This is our last test before the MVC schedule begins and I think this weekend's opponents will help us prepare," said Illinois State head coach Leah Johnson. "Our team is statistically trending up and has put in some good work to continue on that path."
Illinois State (4-6) returns to action after falling to Northern Illinois, 3-1, in its only midweek match of the season Tuesday. The Redbirds posted a 2-1 record and earned a second-place finish last weekend at the Redbird Classic after posting wins over Dayton and Cincinnati.
Redbird setter Stef Jankiewicz was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday following her performance at the Redbird Classic.
Illinois State owns a 3-3 all-time record against New Mexico State, while Arizona holds a 5-1 edge against the Redbirds, though Illinois State has not faced either team since the season-opening Arizona Invitational, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 1990. Illinois State has never faced William & Mary.
This weekend's matches will mark Illinois State's final nonconference matches before beginning MVC play. Illinois State hosts league favorite Missouri State in both teams' conference opener on Sept. 22.
Tickets for the all Illinois State home matches are available from the Illinois State Athletics Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets online at GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, by calling (309) 438-8000, or by visiting the ticket office, located at the north entrance to Redbird Arena.
Links for live stats and video from this weekend's matches at the Wildcat Classic are available at GoRedbirds.com. Fans can also follow @RedbirdVB on Twitter for live updates and more.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.Â
