Redbirds Face Challenges After Disappointing Panther Invitational Finish

Image Courtesy of Redbird Athletics 

NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbirds continue to search for answers following a disappointing finish at the Panther Invitational. Following this past weekend’s tournament, the Redbirds sit (3-7) after two weeks of non-conference play in 2024. The Redbirds have struggled in four-set matches this season, with the team currently holding a meager (2-4) record in these contests.

The Redbirds faced several tough opponents over the weekend, culminating in a match with the Iowa Hawkeyes. That loss was another four-set match that ISU was not able to close out.

In the match, the Redbirds could barely manage to maintain a positive hitting percentage and found themselves hitting a dismal .058 on the afternoon, to the Hawkeyes .287, an issue that has plagued the ISU for some time now.

One of the trademarks of this Redbird team is its aggressiveness, desire to play fast and attempt to put its opponents on its heels. However, this appears to have the opposite effect on them, as they often find themselves in massive holes early in matches that they have struggled to overcome on most occasions thus far.

Throughout their struggles on the offensive side of the ball this year, the Redbird defense has proven to be a contender for one of the best in the MVC, in one category specifically, that being digs.

The Redbirds were barely outdug by the Hawkeyes (48-40). Their ability to bail out those hard-hit kills and spikes from their opponents often allows the Redbirds to stay close in the majority of their sets, a big reason they were able to win the 3rd set against Iowa and prevent themselves from being swept.

Despite this, the Redbirds still have one more weekend of non-conference play to go when they travel to participate in the Owl’s Paradise classic hosted by Florida Atlantic University (FAU). There, they will play their final three games against non-MVC opponents for the 2024 season.

Following the trip to the Sunshine State, the Birds will begin the most crucial part of their schedule as they start MVC play on September 27th at home in the CEFCU arena against Murray State.