Illinois State Takes Hot Start to The Oakland Invite
Written by Quinn Flavin on September 17, 2026
Image courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State volleyball is gearing up for another weekend tournament in Michigan, this time at the Oakland Invite in Rochester, Michigan.
The Redbirds are set to play Marist on the Saturday and Oakland on the Sunday, both at 1 p.m.
Illinois State is coming off a two-win, one-loss weekend at the Linda Herman Classic leaving its record at 7-2. The Redbirds swept Western Illinois and Purdue Fort Wayne, losing the second match of the tournament 3-1 to Lindenwood. Stat leaders for the Redbirds so far this season include Ruth Ziegler with 77 kills and 22 aces, Ella Craggs with 157 assists, Samantha Bunch with 86 digs and Abby Reck with 22 blocks.
Marist, 4-6, is coming off a three-win weekend, taking down Bryant 3-1 twice and Fordham 3-1. Season stat leaders for Marist include Mallory Reck with 162 kills, Caelyn Dumas with 398 assists and 16 aces, Cecilia Potter-pessoa with 131 digs and Sarah Bumstead with 25 blocks.
Oakland, 4-6, is coming off a two-win, one-loss weekend at the Golden Grizzly Invitational, losing to UAB 3-1 and defeating Montana and Eastern Michigan 3-0. Oakland also played Michigan State on the Sept. 15, losing 3-1. Season statistical leaders for Oakland include Liv Hosford with 119 kills, Delaney Stern with 324 assists and eight aces, Kalli Cook with 138 digs and Ellen Zapp with 19 blocks.
ISU will look to improve to 9-2 this weekend.
For all things Redbird Volleyball, stay tuned to WZND.com.
