McLean County Times

Illinois State University's volleyball team is preparing for its second straight win as it continues a four-game homestand. The Redbirds will play against the Murray State Racers on Friday evening at CEFCU Arena.

Sophomore Khenedi Guest has made significant contributions this season, ranking in the top 25 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 MVC to be ranked within the top 30 in all three categories, with her combined rankings being the fourth-best among these athletes.

The Redbirds recently achieved a decisive victory over Bradley, winning 25-10, 25-17, and 25-17. They allowed just 44 points in total during that match, which ties for the eighth-fewest points given up by Illinois State over the last eight seasons.

Freshman Ella Craggs was named MVC Freshman of the Week after strong performances against UIC and Valparaiso. She recorded back-to-back matches with more than 40 assists each, becoming the first Illinois State freshman since Stef Jankiewicz in 2017 to do so in consecutive MVC contests. Her assist totals placed her among national leaders for freshmen and were also tops in the conference regardless of class.

Fifth-year libero Arianna Rossi posted a match-high 39 digs against Bradley on September 27. This figure is tied for third-highest nationally this season.

Khenedi Guest currently leads the MVC in total blocks through Illinois State's first 23 matches and ranks third in blocks per set.

Illinois State has played in 15 sets this season that required more than 25 points to determine a winner. Notably, their second-set win against Butler ended with a score of 34-32—the second-highest scoring set in program history and tied for thirteenth-highest nationally this year.

In terms of fan engagement, nearly 2,900 spectators attended ISU’s opening weekend closer against Illinois at CEFCU Arena—one of the ten largest home crowds since 2003.

Aida Shadewald received her second career MVC Player of the Week honor after tallying 29 kills over nine sets during opening weekend. She averages more than three kills per set while maintaining a .278 hitting percentage and is one of two players in the conference averaging at least three kills and digs per set. Shadewald led ISU’s offense during two out of three matches that week.

The Redbirds began their season by sweeping their opening weekend matches and winning nine consecutive sets. They extended this streak to eleven sets by taking two from Loyola afterward—tying for second-longest such streak to start a season in school history.

Nine different Redbird athletes have registered double-digit kill matches this year—a mark not seen since 2003.

Several players earned All-Tournament Team honors throughout non-conference play: Aida Shadewald (Most Valuable Player), Arianna Rossi, Ruth Ziegler at Western Michigan; Logan Grevengoed at Kwik Star Klassic; Caitlyn Little at Dayton Flyer Invitational.

Illinois State was picked to finish third in the preseason MVC Coaches Poll after returning eight student-athletes who started at least nine matches last year and adding what was described as its top-rated recruiting class ever. Both Aida Shadewald and Khenedi Guest were named preseason All-MVC selections.

Historically, Illinois State holds a combined record of ten wins and two losses against its opponents scheduled for this weekend.