Redbird Volleyball to Host UNI, Drake

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team returns home this weekend riding a six-match win streak. The Redbirds (11-9, 6-1 MVC) will welcome in conference-leading UNI and Drake Friday and Saturday, respectively.

First serve on Friday against the Panthers will begin at 6 p.m. while Saturday's contest will get underway at 5 p.m. for the Redbirds and the Bulldogs.

SCHEDULE

- Friday at 6 p.m. CT: vs UNI (12-7 overall, 7-0 in MVC) | WATCH | LIVE STATS

- Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CT: vs Drake (10-8 overall, 6-1 in MVC) | WATCH | LIVE STATS

PROMOTIONS

Saturday, October 19 vs Drake – 5:00 p.m. – MONSTER MATCH

· Kids can wear their best Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat on the concourse of CEFCU Arena before the match

· Parade of costumes between 2nd and 3rd sets

REDBIRD WINNING STREAK

After dropping its conference opener, Illinois State carries a six-match win streak into this weekend.

The Redbirds have only dropped six sets in that six-match span. Freshman Khenedi Guest is hitting .455 in league play with 73 kills.

SHADEWALD SHINING

Junior Aida Shadewald has delivered a league-high 35 aces this season, ranking tied for 14th nationally in the category, while sitting at ninth overall in total points (339.5).

FITTING RIGHT IN

Illinois State senior setter Mekaila Aupiu has fit right in since joining the Redbirds prior to the 2024 season.

Aupiu continues to lead the league in assists. Her 795 assists are the most in NCAA Division I as she is averaging 9.58 per set. She is one of only five athletes in Division I with over 750 assists this season.

NO LONGER A "GUEST" IN THE VALLEY

Illinois State freshman Khenedi Guest continues to make her mark during her debut season as a Redbird.

Guest is now a three-time MVC Freshman of the Week honoree. The Benton, Arkansas native most recently received honors following a home sweep versus Indiana State and Evansville.

MILESTONE WATCH 👀

Junior Aida Shadewald recently joined the Redbird volleyball top-25 in kills as she is at 977 entering 10/18/24. The junior is 12 kills away from moving into a tie for 24th all-time with 989 career kills.

Shadewald is continuing to move up the ranks for career attack attempts as the junior has recorded 2,776 total attack attempts which is tied for 21st all-time for ISU.

Finally, Shadewald is on the brink of joining the program's top-20 in service aces as she is at 103 aces entering 10/18/24. To reach the program's top-20, Shadewald needs only four more aces.  

For all the latest on Illinois State volleyball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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