ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State volleyball team was picked to repeat as the Missouri Valley Conference champions in a poll of the league's head coaches, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
Additionally, returning All-MVC Second Team selection Sarah Kushner was placed on the Preseason All-MVC team. Kushner averaged 3.11 kills and 2.94 digs per set in the spring, while adding 34 service aces to average a Valley-leading 0.43 aces per set.
The Redbirds return three starters from a squad that finished 16-6 (11-3 MVC) in the spring, earning the regular season MVC title as well as the tournament championship. With the tourney title, Illinois State made the program's third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Redbirds have won a combined four MVC regular season and tournament titles in four seasons with Leah Johnson at the helm.
Illinois State's sweep of the titles during the 2020-21 season marked the ninth time in program history this had been accomplished by the Redbirds and first time since 2014. The last time ISU made three-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament was during the 1996-98 seasons.
The Redbirds will make their 2021 fall debut on the road at the JMU Invitational in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Aug. 27-28, before hosting the Red & White Invitational at Redbird Arena, Sept. 3-5. Face coverings are required in all public indoor spaces on Illinois State University's campus to align with updated CDC masking recommendations. To view ISU's full schedule, visit GoRedbirds.com.
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