NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team (14-10, 7-5 MVC) will go for the season sweep of UNI (18-9, 12-1 MVC) and Drake (9-17, 3-10) this weekend at Redbird Arena. First serve between the Redbirds and the Panthers is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, while the match is set for a 5 p.m. start against the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Promotions
This Saturday's match has been tabbed Family Game Night at Redbird Arena.
- Compete in games and competitions with your family throughout the night
- Family four ticket packs for $40 include 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips and 4 sodas
- Additional tickets available for $10
- Game stations will be on the concourse prior to first serve
- Play in the first-ever trivia game, using the official ISU Athletics Mobile App
- Compete in volleyball bingo to win prizes during the match
- Post-match autographs on the concourse
Scouting the Opponents
UNI controls the series versus the Redbirds, 53-28, despite Illinois State capturing a pair of nationally-ranked wins over the Panthers the past two seasons at Redbird Arena. In 2017, ISU picked up its first win over a nationally-ranked opponent in nearly 14 years before doing it again in 2018 to finish with just its second undefeated season on their home court in program history. The Redbirds pulled off a five-set win over the preseason MVC favorites on Oct. 12, marking Illinois State's first at the McLeod Center for the program since the 2016 season, and the first of head coach Leah Johnson's playing and coaching career.
Illinois State holds the 64-11 series advantage over Drake, pulling off a trio of wins last season against the Bulldogs. The Redbirds' three victories last season ended a four-match skid against the Bulldogs, after winning 12 straight from 2010 to 2015. Illinois State swept Drake on Oct. 11, as Kaylee Martin led the offensive charge with 14 kills on .423 hitting.
Last Time Out
Illinois State played its final match Monday match of the season this week, traveling to Terre Haute, Indiana, to take on Indiana State. The Redbirds swept the Sycamores to improve to 64-8 all-time against Indiana State, taking the last 11 matches between the two programs, with eight of those matches resulting in straight-set wins. Sydney Holt led the way with 10 kills, while Monica Miller hit at a team-best .316 clip.
What's Next
The Redbirds will hit the road for the final time during the regular season, when they head north for matches at Valparaiso and Loyola Chicago next weekend.
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.
