NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State volleyball program is scheduled to make its CEFCU Arena debut on Friday and Saturday with matches against New Mexico State, Saint Louis, and Miami (Ohio).
SCHEDULE
-Friday: 12:30 p.m. CT vs New Mexico State (3-2 in 2023) | Live Stats | ESPN+
-Friday: 7:30 p.m. CT vs Saint Louis (4-2 in 2023) | Live Stats | ESPN+
-Saturday: 2:30 p.m. CT vs Miami (2-4 in 2023) | Live Stats | ESPN+
RED OUT
Illinois State fans are encouraged to wear red for the team's 7:30 p.m. CT match on Friday against Saint Louis.
0-3 IN-STATE
Illinois State played perhaps its best match of the season Sunday at Illinois but fell in four sets in front of 2,744 fans. It was the first time ISU traveled to Huff Hall since 2009.
The Redbirds also dropped three-set matches to Wichita State and Northwestern over the weekend. ISU played WSU for the first time since they left the MVC in 2016 and Northwestern for the first time since 1993.
RISE OF REICHENSPERGER
Illinois State sophomore middle hitter Hannah Reichensperger has made a significant jump from her freshman season and has perhaps been ISU's top offensive threat.
Reichensperger ranks second on the team with 44 kills and a team-leading .266 hitting percentage.
WINNING MATTERS
Head coach Allie Matters is entering her second season at the helm of the Redbirds. Matters is 91-53 through five seasons as a head coach including her four seasons at Wright State. Illinois State was picked to finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll while UNI was picked to win the conference title.
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.
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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