Volleyball Takes Unblemished Mark to Iowa

CORALVILLE, Iowa - The undefeated Illinois State volleyball team heads to Coralville, Iowa, to compete in the Kwik Star Klassic, hosted by the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 - 3 p.m. - vs Loyola Chicago - STATS
Sept. 5 - 6 p.m. - at Iowa - WATCH | STATS
Sept. 6 - 11 a.m. - vs Butler - STATS

NCAA BLOCKING

Through nine matches this season, Illinois State is averaging 3.56 blocks per set, which is the fourth-highest average in the country this season. Just behind Illinois State is Friday afternoon foe Iowa, who averages 3.55 blocks per set.
 

SWEEPING THE SEASON

Through three matches this season, the Redbirds have swept their opposition, winning 3-0 in all three wins. ISU is one of 14 schools in the country to be 3-0 and needing just nine sets, while there are eight others at 2-0 with six sets, and one is 1-0 with three sets. The schools joining Illinois State at 3-0 with nine sets include: Arizona, Boston College, Colorado, Delaware State, Duquesne, East Carolina, Grand Canyon, Houston, IU Indy, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Mississippi State, Portland; 2-0 schools: Florida State, Georgia, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Missouri; Omaha, Texas; and 1-0 Hofstra

MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The award is her second career MVC Player of the Week honor, as she had previously earned the award on October 7, 2024. She had 29 total kills over nine sets in the opening weekend, and she is averaging 3.22 kills per set, while hitting at a .278 percentage. She is one of two players in the MVC to be averaging at least 3.0 kills and digs, and the only player to rank inside of the top-15 in kills per set, hitting percentage, aces per set, and digs per set. The Prairie du Sac, Wiconsin, native, led the Redbirds in kills during two of her three matches on the week, knocking down a season-high 12 in the opener against 2024 NIVC qualifier DePaul, and 11 more against Oakland in the weekend finale.

CONSECUTIVE SET WINS

By sweeping the opening weekend of the 2025 season, the Redbirds have won nine consecutive sets, which is the fourth-longest season-opening stretch in program history. Only the 1992 season (13), and the 1979 and 1980 seasons (11 each) represent a longer stretch than this current run.
 

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS

In the season-opening Western Michigan Tournament, three Redbirds - Aida Shadewald, Arianna Rossi, and Ruth Ziegler - were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Shadewald earning Most Valuable Player honors.

PRESEASON POLL

Returning eight student-athletes that started at least nine matches last season, while bringing in the top-rated recruiting class in program history, has the Illinois State volleyball team picked to finish third in the preseason Missouri Valley Coaches Poll. Two Redbirds – Aida Shadewald and Khenedi Guest – were named to the preseason All-MVC squad.
 

ALL-TIME SERIES

Illinois State and Loyola have met 33 times prior to Thursday, with the Redbirds holding a 29-4 advantage in the series. ISU also leads the all-time series against both Iowa (3-2) and Butler (4-1)