NORMAL, Ill. – Winners of their last 10 matches, the Illinois State volleyball team (22-5, 14-1 MVC) will look to continue its winning ways this weekend with trips to Loyola Chicago (15-11, 7-7 MVC) and Valparaiso (22-7, 9-5 MVC).
First serve between the Redbirds and the Ramblers is set for 4 p.m. on Friday, while Illinois State and the Crusaders begin action at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Both matches are set to be broadcast on ESPN+.
Scouting the Opponents
The Redbirds have taken the last six contests over Loyola Chicago, including a quartet of sweeps in the last four outings against the Ramblers. Prior to Valparaiso joining the Missouri Valley Conference, the Redbirds and the Crusaders had only met four previous times. Valparaiso joined the league ahead of the 2017 season, as Illinois State won all three meetings last year, including the opening round of the MVC Tournament, and continued its win streak against the Crusaders with a four-set win earlier this season (Oct. 12). Â
History in the Making
All-American libero Courtney Pence is on track to break the MVC career digs record this weekend. The senior currently has 2,653 digs on her resume, and will need just four to break UNI's Ellie Blankenship's mark in the Valley record book, which was set in 2007-10. She is currently averaging 6.00 digs per set – the second-best average in all of NCAA Division I.
Final Stretch
Illinois State has three matches left on the 2018 regular-season slate, with trips scheduled to Loyola Chicago, Valparaiso and Bradley. Over the last five seasons, the Redbirds have compiled a record of 10-5 in its final three contests of the regular season, including two perfect 3-0 marks in 2014 and 2017.
Protecting the Nest
Illinois State grabbed its first top-25 win of the season this weekend on Saturday night with a 3-2 win over the visiting UNI Panthers to finish the 2018 home slate with a perfect 9-0 record. Last season, the Panthers visited Redbird Arena with the same national rank, and the Redbirds handed UNI a five-set loss, similarly to this weekend. The Redbirds have now posted a winning record at Redbird Arena in eight of the last nine seasons, and Illinois State moved a half of a game ahead of the Panthers at the top of the Valley standings.
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