Illinois State Volleyball Prepares for First Home Conference Matches of the Season

NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State Volleyball is set for its first two home Missouri Valley Conference matches this weekend at CEFCU Arena against conference powerhouse Northern Iowa and Drake.

The Redbirds are coming off a two-win weekend, beating UIC 3-1 and Valparaiso 3-2.

Statistics leaders for ISU so far this season include Ruth Ziegler with 100 kills and 27 aces, Ella Craggs with 239 assists, Sammi Bunch with 163 digs and Abby Reck with 34 blocks.

UNI has an 8-5 overall record and a 2-0 conference record. Northern Iowa, who has qualified for the NCAA tournament each season since 2022 and  has not lost a conference match since 2022, when they lost to Drake. Statistics leaders for the Panthers so far this season include Cassidy Hartman with 204 kills, Reese Booth with 14 aces and 471 assists, Jadyn Petersen with 232 digs and Grace Hannam with 54 blocks.

Drake has a 6-8 overall record and a 1-1 conference record. Statistics leaders for the Bulldogs so far this season include Lisa Melenciano with 157 kills, Katie Quick with 274 assists, Jasmine Dulan with 14 aces and 272 digs and Aniyah Davis with 41 blocks.

Illinois State will play Northern Iowa on Thursday and Drake on Friday, with both matches set for 6 p.m.

ISU will look to improve their overall record to 13-2 and their conference record to 4-0.

For all things Redbird Volleyball, stay tuned to WZND.com.