NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team (11-7, 4-2 MVC) is set to continue Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend, when it hosts Loyola Chicago (13-6, 6-0 MVC) and Valparaiso (8-12, 3-3 MVC) at Redbird Arena. First serve between the Redbirds and the Ramblers is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, while first serve against the Crusaders is slated for 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Promotion
Friday's match against Loyola Chicago is being held in conjunction with Illinois State's annual Hoopfest. Immediately following the volleyball match, the ISU men's and women's basketball teams will host their season tip-off event, that will feature a three-point contest, scrimmages and an autograph session. Both the Redbird volleyball match and Hoopfest are free for all fans.
Scouting the Opponents
Illinois State holds the 23-3 series advantage over Loyola Chicago, winning its last seven matches against the Ramblers. Two of the Redbirds' losses came on the road, including their last lost in 2015. Loyola Chicago enters the weekend with an overall record of 13-6 and a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play to sit atop the league standings.
The Redbirds lead Valparaiso in the all-time series, 7-2, dating back to the 2006 campaign. Illinois State has taken all five meetings between the two programs since the Crusaders joined the MVC. Valparaiso enters this weekend with a 3-3 record in conference play and 8-12 record overall.
Home Sweet Home
Illinois State's matches against Loyola Chicago and Valparaiso this weekend are the only two home matches during the month of October for the Redbirds. The Redbirds are 23-5 (.821) at Redbird Arena during Leah Johnson's tenure, going a perfect 9-0 in 2018. Illinois State is a combined 16-2 versus the Ramblers and Crusaders on its home court, falling just once at Redbird Arena to each opponent.
Mastering McLeod
The Redbirds' victory at the McLeod Center on Saturday night was the first for the program since the 2016 season, and the first of head coach Leah Johnson's playing and coaching career. Illinois State has only won 10 matches all-time on the road against UNI, dating back to 1983. Additionally, the last four wins against the Panthers for ISU have all been five-set victories.
Perfect Pair
Setter Stef Jankiewicz and outside hitter Kaylee Martin have proven to be a threat this season for the Redbirds. Jankiewicz turned in her 11th double-double of the season on Saturday at UNI, while Martin registered her 17th double-digit kill performance. The juniors both rank in the top-25 nationally in their respective categories. Jankiewicz is fourth in the nation in total assists (783) and Martin is 17th and 21st in total kills (293) and points (324.5), respectively.
For updates on Illinois State Volleyball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdVB) and Instagram (@redbirdvolleyball).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
