McLean County Times

Illinois State volleyball will commence its 2024 season by hosting the Linda Herman Volleyball Classic this weekend at CEFCU Arena. The Redbirds will face Bellarmine, Central Michigan, and Lindenwood over the two-day tournament.

The team's first match is scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT against Central Michigan. All Illinois State matches will be available for streaming on ESPN+.

**Tournament Schedule:**

- **Friday:** 6:30 p.m. CT vs Central Michigan (15-15 in 2023) | Live Stats | ESPN+

- **Saturday:** 11:00 a.m. CT vs Bellarmine (9-20 in 2023) | Live Stats | ESPN+

- **Saturday:** 6:30 p.m. CT vs Lindenwood (16-15 in 2023) | Live Stats | ESPN+

**Series History:**

The Redbirds have not faced Central Michigan at home since 1990 and hold an overall record of 8-5 against them, including a 6-2 record in Normal. Their last encounter was in Dayton, Ohio, in 2021 where CMU won 3-1.

Saturday’s matches will mark the first meetings between Illinois State and both Bellarmine and Lindenwood on the volleyball court.

**Team Leadership and Roster Changes:**

Head coach Allie Matters enters her third season with Illinois State, holding a career record of 103-66 after four seasons at Wright State. The team was predicted to finish fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, receiving one first-place vote.

Junior Aida Shadewald earned preseason All-MVC honors following her inclusion in the All-MVC First Team in 2023.

The Redbirds introduce eleven new players to their roster this season, six of whom are freshmen:

- Ruth Ziegler (opposite)

- Khenedi Guest (middle blocker)

- Oliwia Caputa (outside hitter)

- Lauren Salata (outside hitter)

- Olivia Baierl (libero)

- Lilly Croshaw (opposite)

Transfers include:

- Abby Reck (sophomore outside hitter from Northeastern)

- Logan Grevengoed (redshirt sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker from Western Kentucky)

- Colleen Hege (junior libero from UIC)

- Maggie McCrary (graduate middle blocker from Miami OH)

- Mekaila Aupiu (senior setter from UTSA)

**Home Opener:**

This marks Illinois State's first home season opener since hosting Gardner-Webb, Texas-Arlington, and Oral Roberts in 2009. Since then, ISU has maintained a home record of 140 wins and 63 losses over eleven seasons with a .500 or better record.

During the upcoming season, Illinois State is set to play against six teams for the first time ever: Bellarmine, Lindenwood, Army, Florida Atlantic, Stetson, and Mercer. Additionally, they will travel to Florida for the Owls Paradise Classic at FAU on September 20–21—their first trip to the state since 2015.

For updates on Illinois State volleyball activities and matches, visit GoRedbirds.com or follow their social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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