NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State volleyball kicks off its 2024 campaign this weekend, playing host to the Linda Herman Volleyball Classic Friday and Saturday at CEFCU Arena.
The Redbirds welcome Bellarmine, Central Michigan, and Lindenwood to Normal for the season's opening weekend. ISU will play three matches over the two-day tournament, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT against Central Michigan.
All Illinois State matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
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SCHEDULE
-Friday: 6:30 p.m. CT vs Central Michigan (15-15 in 2023) | Live Stats | ESPN+
-Saturday: 11:00 a.m. CT vs Bellarmine (9-20 in 2023) |Â Live Stats | ESPN+
-Saturday: 6:30 p.m. CT vs Lindenwood (16-15 in 2023)Â |Â Live Stats | ESPN+
OSF AND THE REDBIRDS
The team doctors for Illinois State Volleyball are provided by OSF HealthCare, Official Health Care Provider for Illinois State Athletics.
ILLINOIS STATE-CENTRAL MICHIGAN SERIES
The Redbirds welcome the Chippewas to CEFCU Arena for the first time since 1990. All-time, the Red and White are 8-5 against CMU and 6-2 in matches played in Normal. The last meeting between the Redbirds and Chippewas came in 2021, where CMU claimed a 3-1 win in Dayton, Ohio.
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ILLINOIS STATE-BELLARMINE SERIES
Saturday will mark the first time the Redbirds and Knights have clashed on the volleyball court.
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ILLINOIS STATE-LINDENWOOD SERIES
Saturday will mark the first time the Redbirds and Lions have clashed on the volleyball court.
LEADING THE WAY
Head coach Allie Matters is entering her third season at the helm of the Redbirds. Matters is 103-66 through six seasons as a head coach after four seasons at Wright State.
Illinois State was picked to finish fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, receiving one first-place vote.
PRESEASON ALL-MVC
Junior Aida Shadewald garnered preseason All-MVC honors after earning All-MVC First Team honors in 2023. Shadewald joins members from UNI, Drake, Evansville, and Murray State on this year's preseason All-MVC team.
NEW-LOOK 'BIRDIES
Illinois State brings in 11 new faces to the 2024 roster, six of which are freshmen.
Freshmen opposite Ruth Ziegler (Gurnee, Ill.), middle blocker Khenedi Guest (Benton, Ark.), outside hitter Oliwia Caputa (Zywiec, Poland), outside hitter Lauren Salata (WestÂchester, Ill.), libero Olivia Baierl (Howards Grove, Wis.), and opposite Lilly Croshaw (Justin, Texas) join the Redbirds out of high school.
Transfers include sophomore outside hitter Abby Reck (NorthÂeastern), redshirt sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Logan Grevengoed (Western Kentucky), junior libero Colleen Hege (UIC), graduate middle blocker Maggie McCrary (Miami (OH)), and senior setter Mekaila Aupiu (UTSA).
HOME SWEET HOME
Illinois State is scheduled to open the 2024 season at home, marking the first home season opener for ISU since 2009 when the Birds hosted Gardner-Webb, Texas-Arlington, and Oral Roberts.
Since 2009, ISU is 140-63 at home, with 11 seasons of a .500 record or better.
START OF SOMETHING NEW
Illinois State is scheduled to face six programs (Bellarmine, Lindenwood, Army, Florida Atlantic, Stetson, and Mercer) for the first time in program history during the 2024 season.
The Redbirds will also travel to the Sunshine State (Florida) for the first time since 2015 when they take part in the Owls Paradise Classic at FAU on September 20-21.
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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