NORMAL, Ill. – Junior Aida Shadewald tallied 15 kills while freshman Khenedi Guest added nine kills to lead the Illinois State volleyball team in a hard-fought four set match in the 2024 season opener versus Central Michigan on Friday night.
Guest held a .304 hitting percentage while graduate student Maggie McCrary's .467 clip (eight kills, one error on 15 attacks) led the Redbirds (0-1), who fell behind after two sets before winning 27-25 in the third set.
Freshman Olivia Baierl accumulated a match-high 20 digs.
SET SCORES
Illinois State falls to Central Michigan (1-3): 15-25, 20-25, 27-25, 21-25
ILLINOIS STATE STATS LEADERS
Kills: Aida Shadewald (15)
Digs: Olivia Baierl (20)
Assists: Mekaila Aupiu (39)
Service Aces: Sammi Bunch (1)
Total Blocks: Khenedi Guest (4)
ILLINOIS STATE NOTES
-Illinois State (.229) was outhit by Central Michigan (.281)
-Guest, McCrary, Baierl, Aupiu, junior Colleen Hege, and freshman Ruth Ziegler made their Redbird debuts.
-The match was ISU's first home season opener since 2009.
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