McLean County Times

The Illinois State volleyball team is set to begin a four-game homestand, starting with a match against Bradley on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in CEFCU Arena.

Illinois State sophomore Khenedi Guest has made significant contributions this season, ranking in the top-20 of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) for attack percentage, kills per set, and blocks per set. She is one of only eight players in the conference to rank inside the top-30 in all three categories, and her combined ranking is fourth-best among those players.

Freshman Ella Craggs was named MVC Freshman of the Week after strong performances against UIC and Valparaiso. She recorded back-to-back matches with over 40 assists, becoming the first freshman since Stef Jankiewicz in 2017 to do so in consecutive MVC contests. During that week, she had the fourth-most total assists among NCAA freshmen and posted the highest assist total and assist-per-set average in the MVC.

Fifth-year libero Arianna Rossi achieved a match-high 39 digs during Illinois State’s September 27 match against Bradley. This figure is tied for third-highest nationally this season.

Through 20 matches, Khenedi Guest leads the MVC in total blocks and ranks third in blocks per set.

The Redbirds have played 15 sets requiring more than 25 points to win this season. Their second-set victory over Butler ended with a score of 34-32—the second-highest scoring set in program history and tied for 13th-highest nationally this year. In total, they have played 15 extended sets through 22 matches—tied for seventh-most nationally for a single season.

Attendance at ISU’s opening weekend finale against Illinois reached 2,874 fans at CEFCU Arena—one of their ten largest home crowds since 2003.

Aida Shadewald earned her second career MVC Player of the Week honor after tallying 29 kills over nine sets during opening weekend play. She averages more than three kills per set with a .278 hitting percentage and stands as one of two MVC players averaging at least three kills and digs per set while ranking within the top-15 across multiple statistical categories. "The Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, 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 opened their season by winning nine straight sets across their first three matches; extending that streak to eleven by taking two additional sets from Loyola—a run tied for second-longest to start a season in school history.

Nine different student-athletes have recorded double-digit kill performances this year: Ruth Ziegler, Khenedi Guest, Caitlyn Little, Logan Grevengoed, Aida Shadewald, Oliwia Caputa, Ne'Khaela Rogers, Abby Reck, and Hannah Reichensperger—a mark matched only once before since 2003.

Multiple players received all-tournament honors early this season: Aida Shadewald (who also earned Most Valuable Player), Arianna Rossi and Ruth Ziegler were recognized at Western Michigan; Logan Grevengoed was honored at Kwik Star Klassic; Caitlyn Little received recognition at Dayton Flyer Invitational.

Illinois State returned eight student-athletes who started nine or more matches last year and welcomed its highest-rated recruiting class ever. The team was picked to finish third according to coaches’ preseason poll; both Aida Shadewald and Khenedi Guest were selected for preseason All-MVC honors.

Against upcoming opponents on their schedule this weekend—including Bradley—the Redbirds hold an all-time record of ten wins and two losses.