ST. LOUIS – Illinois State volleyball libero Courtney Pence was honored Monday as the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The accolade given to the senior marks the second time this season, and a Valley-record 12th time in Pence's career, that she has earned the laurel.
"Courtney (Pence) has been playing incredibly steady this season for us, and this weekend was a glowing example," head coach Leah Johnson said. "She anchors our defense in a 360 circumference."
Pence helped pace a strong defensive effort by the Redbirds this weekend, as Illinois State held its two opponents for a combined .150 hitting percentage. She collected a match-high 19 and 21 digs against Loyola Chicago and Valparaiso, respectively, in the Redbirds' pair of wins to help Illinois State take sole possession of second place in the MVC standings and remain undefeated at Redbird Arena in 2018.
Pence averaged 5.71 digs per set in just seven sets played this weekend to improve her season digs per set average to 5.68, which is good for the ninth-best average in all of NCAA Division I. Additionally, Pence helped set up an offense that hit .254 against the Crusaders on Friday night, contributing a season-high seven assists, while also delivering a service ace.
On Saturday night against the Ramblers, Pence continued to make an impact, serving up an Illinois State season-high five aces, of the team's total of seven, to contribute a season-high five points in the match as a libero. With her five aces at Redbird Arena, Pence became the first Redbird since 2015 to deliver at least five service aces in a match at Illinois State's home facility.
Illinois State (15-5, 7-1 MVC) will continue its longest home stand in at least a decade tonight, when I-74 rival Bradley visits for a 6 p.m. first serve. The Redbirds will close out their five-match home stretch this weekend against Southern Illinois and Missouri State.
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