NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team (13-5, 5-1 MVC) finished the first half of Missouri Valley Conference play on Monday night against Bradley with its best record since 2014, when the Redbirds went 18-0 in the league, and won the regular-season outright.
The Redbirds will close out their longest home stand in at least a decade this weekend, when Southern Illinois (4-17, 0-8 MVC) and Missouri State (11-10, 4-4 MVC) visit Redbird Arena. Both matches are set to begin at 7 p.m.
Scouting the Opponents
Illinois State took the first match-up of the 2018 MVC season against the Salukis and Bears, and holds a commanding 75-12 series record over Southern Illinois. The Redbirds have won the last four contests against the Salukis, and seven of the last 10. The last loss Illinois State suffered against Southern Illinois at Redbird Arena dates back to the 2009 campaign.
Missouri State holds a slim 53-48 all-time series edge over the Redbirds, but Illinois State swept the Bears at Hammons Student Center on Sept. 21 to snap Missouri State's win streaks of 34-straight league matches and 13-straight matches at home. Additionally, Illinois State's first conference win this season under the direction of second-year head coach Leah Johnson marked the first against her former head coach, Melissa Stokes.
Home Sweet Home
Illinois State picked up a trio of wins this weekend against Valparaiso (Friday), Loyola Chicago (Saturday) and Bradley (Monday) to improve to 5-0 at Redbird Arena this season. The Redbirds are historically known for playing well at their home facility, as Illinois State has posted a winning record in Normal in seven of the last eight seasons, including a perfect 10-0 mark in 2014. Only four matches remain at Redbird Arena this season, including the pair of contests this weekend. Single match tickets can be purchased by calling the ISU Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000, or by visiting GoRedbirds.com/Tickets.
Halfway There
At the conclusion of Illinois State's home stand this week, the Redbirds will have started the second half of the MVC slate. The Redbirds are currently alone in second place in the conference standings with an 8-1 mark, suffering its lone loss in league play to unbeaten UNI. Illinois State's start to league play matches its best since 2014, when the Redbirds won the MVC outright, and the 2013 season.
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