ST. LOUIS – Illinois State junior outside hitter Kendee Hilliard was highlighted in this week's Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, presented by State Farm. Despite being a junior on the volleyball court, Hilliard has already earned a degree from Illinois State in Recreation and Park Administration and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Sport Management.
A West, Texas native, Hilliard maintained a 3.73 grade point average during her undergraduate career and has been involved in a number of campus organizations during her time as a Redbird. She is actively involved in the Illinois State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the Gamma Rho Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., the ISU Athletic Council, the Redbirds for Change Student-Athlete Action Team. During her time as an undergraduate student, Hilliard was a member of the Black Student Union, Athletes in Action, the Impact Movement and the ISU Recreation and Park Administration's Advisory Council.
Hilliard has not shied away from leadership opportunities within the Illinois State Athletics Department, serving as the President and Social Media Chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In this role she acts as the liaison between student-athletes and the athletics administration, providing input regarding the student-athlete experience, rules & regulations and more.
Beyond the Illinois State campus, Hilliard is an active member of the Bloomington-Normal community, volunteering her time with the Eastview Christian Church, Food for Families, the Taste of Redbirds event and the Play4Kay Raffle.
Hilliard has been recognized for her dedication to her academics as a McGinnis Distinguished Senior Award Recipient and as a five-time AFNI Honor Roll Member.
To qualify for the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes are evaluated on their campus involvement and community service.
UP NEXT
The Illinois State volleyball team will hit the road for a pair of games in Indiana this weekend, Oct. 8-9, when they travel to play Indiana State and Evansville. Both matches are set to begin at 5 p.m. central time and can be streamed on ESPN+/ESPN3.
For all latest on Illinois State volleyball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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