ISU Defeats Missouri in Redbird Classic Finale

NORMAL,Ill.- The Illinois State volleyball team defeated the Missouri Tigers in four sets at Redbird Arena Saturday afternoon.

It was back and forth all day long between the Redbirds and Tigers, but ISU prevailed. Illinois State finished the Redbird Classic with a one and two record. Sarah Kushner led the way for the Redbirds with 15 kills. Tamara Otene was right behind Kushner with 10 kills as well. Senior Carley Nicholson stepped up big for the Redbirds stepping in as the setter due to injuries. She finished the day with 18 assists.

“Confidence wise coach gives that to me every single day. When we go in for team meetings, before games, before practice. The biggest thing she stresses to all of us is to just go out and compete.” Said Nicholson.

With this win the Redbirds wrap up non-conference play and will begin their quest for another Missouri Valley Conference championship. Coach Johnson’s squad will enter conference play with a record of four and eight.

“The most important thing to me is that we start at zero and zero. I know we walk in the gym the target is on our back no matter what our preseason record says.” Said Johnson

The Redbirds will be back in action next Friday as they head to Des Moines to take on the Drake Bulldogs in their Missouri Valley Conference opener.