McLean County Times

Illinois State University senior Aida Shadewald has been named the opening Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Week following her performance at the Western Michigan Tournament, where she was also recognized as Most Valuable Player.

This is Shadewald's second career MVC Player of the Week honor, with her previous award on October 7, 2024. Over nine sets during the tournament’s opening weekend, she recorded 29 total kills and is currently averaging 3.22 kills per set with a hitting percentage of .278. She is one of only two players in the MVC to average at least three kills and three digs per set, and she is the only player ranked within the top-15 for kills per set, hitting percentage, aces per set, and digs per set.

The Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin native led Illinois State in kills in two out of three matches during the week. She achieved a season-high 12 kills against DePaul in the opener and added 11 more against Oakland in the final match of the weekend.

With these performances, Illinois State Redbirds have started their season with a 3-0 record for the first time since 2010. They have also swept their first three opponents for only the fourth time in program history and for the first time since 1992.

The team will next travel to Iowa City to play Loyola Ramblers on Thursday afternoon as part of the Iowa Tournament hosted by University of Iowa.

"Aida Shadwald has been named the season's opening Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week."

"The award is her second career MVC Player of the Week honor, as she had previously earned the award on October 7, 2024."

"She had 29 total kills over nine sets in the opening weekend, and she is averaging 3.22 kills per set, while hitting at a .278 percentage. She is one of two players in the MVC to be averaging at least 3.0 kills and digs, and the only player to rank inside of the top-15 in kills per set, hitting percentage, aces per set, and digs per set."

"The Prairie du Sac, Wiconsin, native, led the Redbirds in kills during two of her three matches on the week, knocking down a season-high 12 in the opener against 2024 NIVC qualifier DePaul, and 11 more against Oakland in the weekend finale."

"The Redbirds are 3-0 for the first time since 2010 and have swept their first three opponents for the first time since 1992, and just the fourth time in program history."

"ISU travels to Iowa City, Iowa, for a Thursday afternoon battle with the Loyola Ramblers to kick off the Iowa Tournament, hosted by University of Iowa."