COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Illinois State volleyball program is scheduled to open the 2023 season at Missouri on Friday night in what is expected to be a raucous atmosphere before facing Central Arkansas and 2022 NCAA Tournament qualifier Colgate on Saturday.
SCHEDULE
-Friday: 6:00 p.m. CT at Missouri (9-19 in 2022) | Live Stats | SEC Network+
-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. CT vs Central Arkansas (19-11 in 2022) | Live Stats
-Saturday: 4:00 p.m. CT vs Colgate (24-6 in 2022) | Live Stats
WINNING MATTERS
Head coach Allie Matters is entering her second season at the helm of the Redbirds. Matters is 91-47 through five seasons as a head coach after four seasons at Wright State. Illinois State was picked to finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll.
ALL-FRESHMEN TEAM RETURNEES
Sophomores Aida Shadewald and Regan Haith both return to the Redbirds after earning All-MVC Freshmen Team honors in 2022 to highlight Illinois State's returnees.
NEW-LOOK 'BIRDIES
Illinois State brings in 10 new faces to the 2023 roster, four of which are freshmen.
Freshmen outside Ally Saleh (Waunakee, Wis.), outside Hailey Brockway (Graham, Wash.), libero/defensive specialist Madison Smith (St. Louis, Mo.), and outside Caitlyn Little (Ballwin, Mo.) join the Redbirds out of high school.
Transfers include mid-year transfer sophomore setter Sammi Bunch (Tusculum), Bloomington, Ill. native and redshirt sophomore Kendall Burk (Eastern Michigan), junior Megan Haynes (Tarleton State).
Highlighting the newcomers are a trio of grad transfers - right side Kara Cooper (Valparaiso), outside Bella Zeman (Wofford), and libero Mari Hinkle (Iowa) are all expected to play pivotal roles for the Redbirds in their fifth season of collegiate volleyball.
OPENING AT POWER FIVE
Illinois State is scheduled to open at Missouri on 8/25, marking the first Power Five opener for ISU since opening at Miami (Fla.) in 2015.
ISU has not opened the season with a Power Five win since beating Florida State in 2002 (lost seven-straight in P5 openers).
RENEWING IN-STATE BATTLES
Illinois State is scheduled to travel to Illinois' Huff Hall for the first time since 9/12/09. The 'Birds have not won in Huff Hall since 10/17/84 (lost 10-straight).
The Redbirds are also scheduled to battle Northwestern for the first time since 10/12/93.
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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