Redbirds Sweep Senior Weekend, Extend Hot Streak in CEFCU Arena

Image via Illinois State Athletics

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State volleyball team capped off its 2025 home slate in dominant fashion, sweeping both Evansville and Indiana State inside CEFCU Arena to close senior weekend on a high note. The Redbirds have now won four straight matches and six consecutive sets, led by a balanced attack, elite defense and inspired performances from their four graduating seniors: Arianna Rossi, Colleen Hege, Hannah Reichensperger and Aida Shadewald.

Friday night’s matchup against Evansville was a celebration of consistency and execution. Illinois State stormed out to early leads in all three sets, hitting a season-best .385 in a 25-9, 25-12, 25-18 sweep of the Aces.

Graduate libero Arianna Rossi hit a major milestone, surpassing 1,000 career digs across her collegiate career at Southern Utah and ISU. She led the match with 16 digs and added a service ace.

Offensively, Shadewald recorded her fifth double-double of the year with 12 kills and 10 digs, while Reichensperger added 10 kills and six blocks. Khenedi Guest chipped in nine kills and three blocks, while setters Audrey Clark and Ella Craggs each tallied 21 assists and an ace.

The Redbirds’ defense was equally impressive, holding Evansville to a .053 hitting percentage — marking the third straight match in which ISU held an opponent below .100. The 39 points allowed were tied for the third fewest in a match since 2016.

Saturday’s Senior Day celebration was all Redbirds, as the team’s veterans took center stage in a 25-19, 25-20, 25-15 sweep of Indiana State.

Shadewald led the way with 13 kills and two aces, moving within one of 12th place on ISU’s all-time career aces list. Reichensperger followed closely with 11 kills and five blocks, hitting a scorching .500 for the match — her fourth consecutive contest above .350.

Rossi continued her strong play on the back line, digging 17 balls for her 20th double-digit performance of the year and sixth straight. Hege helped anchor ISU’s steady serve-receive in her final home appearance.

As a team, Illinois State hit .273 while holding Indiana State to .108, marking the Redbirds’ fourth straight opponent under .110. The victory extended ISU’s winning streak over the Sycamores to eight straight matches and improved its all-time record in the series to 74-10.

Craggs dished out 18 assists, Clark added 14, and Ruth Ziegler, Logan Grevengoed and Oliwia Caputa all contributed key kills in the balanced offensive showing.

With their third straight match hitting over .300 (snapping only after Saturday’s .273 performance), Illinois State’s offense is in peak form heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The Redbirds’ .300-plus streak tied for the eighth longest since 1997, while their defensive consistency remains among the best in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Guest continues to rank among the league’s top middle blockers, sitting in the top five in both attack percentage and blocks per set. Craggs, meanwhile, has been one of the top freshman setters in the NCAA, earning MVC Freshman of the Week honors earlier this season for her 40-plus assist performances.

Up next, Illinois State wraps up the 2025 regular season on the road, traveling to Valparaiso on Friday, Nov. 14, and to UIC on Saturday, Nov. 15, before gearing up for the MVC Tournament.

For all things Redbird Volleyball, refer to wznd.com.