NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team will wrap up the regular season this weekend with a pair of Missouri Valley Conference contests against Indiana State and Evansville at Redbird Arena.
First serve between the Redbirds and the Sycamores is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, while Saturday's match is slated for a 5 p.m. start time. Additionally, the program will recognize its two seniors – Ella Francis and Monica Miller – at the conclusion of Saturday's contest.
PROMOTION
In addition to Senior Night, Saturday's match against Evansville has been tabbed Future Redbirds Night. The team needs all Future Redbirds (age 12 and under) to be in attendance to cheer them on. Pre-match festivities will begin in the Legends Room at Redbird Arena at 4:15 p.m. Registration is free for all future Redbirds and includes:
- Red Alert Shirt, while supplies last
- Pre-Match Chalk Talk with head coach Leah Johnson beginning at 4:15 p.m.
- Photobooth with Reggie Redbird
- Participate in the High Five Tunnel as the team enters the court
- Sit in the Future Redbirds Section (Section 110) for the match
To register, follow this link: https://forms.illinoisstate.edu/forms/future_redbirds_day_at_volleyball
HEATIN' UP
With a pair of wins last weekend, the Redbirds moved up to No. 3 in the conference standings with just two matches remaining in the regular season. Illinois State completed the season sweep of Valparaiso and Loyola, handing the Ramblers their third conference loss of the season, and second to the Redbirds. Since Leah Johnson took over the program in 2017, the Redbirds have only dropped one match in their final four contests of the regular season.
CANNOT BE CONTAINED
It was a career weekend for Kaylee Martin, as the junior racked up 49 kills to average 5.44 kills per set. In Illinois State's comeback victory at Valparaiso last Friday, Martin posted her third 20-kill performance during MVC play this season with a match-high 24 kills behind .259 hitting, while adding a service ace and three blocks. The Sterling, Illinois, native returned to the court on Saturday and registered a four-set career-high 25 kills against the Ramblers behind .269 hitting. Martin also contributed four of ISU's six service aces in the victory over Loyola. For her success, Martin was recognized as the Valley's Player of the Week on Monday afternoon.
ON THE HORIZON
For the 10th-consecutive year, the Redbird volleyball team will participate in the league's six-team post-season championship event. Illinois State will travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa, next week and can finish as high as No. 3 in the Valley standings or fall to the No. 4 spot. The Redbirds will begin their quest for the tournament title on Thursday, Nov. 28.
For updates on Illinois State Volleyball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdVB) and Instagram (@redbirdvolleyball).
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