McLean County Times

The Illinois State volleyball team will continue its non-conference schedule this weekend as the Redbirds travel to Saint Louis, Missouri, to compete in the Billiken Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

ISU opens the weekend on Friday versus Xavier and Army before taking on host Saint Louis on Saturday. Live stats will be available for all three Redbird matches, with the Saturday afternoon contest versus Saint Louis streamed on ESPN+.

**Schedule:**

- Friday: 11:00 a.m. CT vs Xavier (0-3 in 2024) | Live Stats

- Friday: 4:00 p.m. CT vs Army (2-1 in 2024) | Live Stats

- Saturday: 2:30 p.m. CT vs Saint Louis (1-2 in 2024) | Live Stats | ESPN+

**Billiken Invitational Tickets:**

Tickets are sold on a per-day basis and are $12 each. One ticket per person is valid for all matches that day. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

Illinois State senior setter Mekaila Aupiu has integrated well since joining the Redbirds prior to the 2024 season. Aupiu leads the team and is tied fifth nationally with 156 assists, is tied for the team lead in block solos (3), and ranks 82nd in the NCAA for assists/set (9.18).

Illinois State saw nine athletes make their CEFCU Arena debut during the Linda Herman Volleyball Classic on August 30-31, including all six true freshmen.

Illinois State opened the 2024 season at home for the first time since 2009, finishing 1-2 over the weekend against Central Michigan, Bellarmine, and Lindenwood. Since 2009, ISU is 141-65 at home, with eleven seasons of a .500 record or better.

Illinois State is scheduled to face six programs (Bellarmine, Lindenwood, Army, Florida Atlantic, Stetson, and Mercer) for the first time in program history during the 2024 non-conference season. The Redbirds will also travel to Florida for the first time since 2015 when they participate in the Owls Paradise Classic at FAU on September 20-21.

Junior Aida Shadewald garnered preseason All-MVC honors after earning All-MVC First Team honors in 2023. Shadewald joins members from UNI, Drake, Evansville, and Murray State on the Preseason All-MVC team.

Illinois State brings eleven new faces to its roster for the upcoming season; six of them are freshmen:

Freshmen:

- Ruth Ziegler (Gurnee, Ill.), opposite

- Khenedi Guest (Benton Ark.), middle blocker

- Oliwia Caputa (Zywiec Poland), outside hitter

- Lauren Salata (Westchester Ill.), outside hitter

- Olivia Baierl (Howards Grove Wis.), libero

- Lilly Croshaw (Justin Texas), opposite

Transfers:

-Sophomore Abby Reck (Northeastern), outside hitter

-RS Sophomore Logan Grevengoed(Western Kentucky), OH/MB

-Junior Colleen Hege(UIC), libero

-Graduate Maggie McCrary(Miami(OH)), MB

-Senior Mekaila Aupiu(UTSA), setter

For updates on Illinois State volleyball visit GoRedbirds.com or follow them on Twitter Facebook Instagram TikTok.

GoRedbirds.com & Illinois State Redbirds App your sources for tickets Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts multimedia merchandise photos & more.

---