Matters, Redbirds Eye Down First MVC Win on First Road Trip
Written by Cason Schingoethe on September 29, 2023
Image courtesy of Redbird Athletics
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University Redbird volleyball is on the road this weekend as they move into their second week of MVC conference play starting against Murray St.
The redbirds (2-12) look to begin a stretch of winning ball as the time for MVC play has finally arrived. The birds who wrapped up preseason non-conference play (2-10) lost their first two conference games against two very tough opponents in Drake university and NIU.
“We have growth individually,” Head Coach Allie Matters said. “We just didn’t necessarily grow as a team tonight.”
Matters, in her second year as the head coach of the Redbirds, has seen plenty of bright spots, but also plenty of room for improvement amongst the players since the beginning of the season.
The ‘Birds in fact appeared as though they were going to shock the MVC in the first set against Drake taking it 27-25 ending an 11-set losing streak, but the Drake defense was able to adjust to the redbirds offensive scheme and took the remaining three sets and won the match. Against UNI, the Panthers got the jump early with the ‘Birds rallying late in the third set, but it was too little to late and ended in a swift 3-0 sweep against the reigning MVC Conference champions.
“I just think we have to ignore our record.” Matters added, “and just know that we are taking steps forward, and we have to peak at the right time.”
The ‘Birds will have that chance to peak against Murray State and Belmont this weekend, as the beginning of the conference season really begins to heat up.
