The Indiana State women’s volleyball team, known as the Sycamores, is set to embark on a crucial road trip this weekend for a pair of Missouri Valley Conference matchups. The team will travel north, first heading to Chicago, Illinois, to compete against UIC on Friday evening. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Following this contest, the Sycamores will continue on to Valparaiso, Indiana, where they will face Valparaiso University on Saturday, also at 7 p.m., marking their second league game of the weekend. These road contests offer the Blue and White an opportunity to impact their current standing within the conference.
Currently, the Sycamores hold an overall season record of 7-12. Within Missouri Valley Conference play, their record stands at 1-7, reflecting the competitive nature of their league schedule. Across their 19 matches played so far this season, the Indiana State team has demonstrated its offensive capabilities by averaging 13.0 kills per set. Furthermore, they have accumulated a total of 122 service aces, showcasing their serving prowess. Defensively, the team has been active, averaging 14.9 digs per set, contributing to a season total of 1,151 digs.
Individual performances have been notable for the Sycamores. Junior outside hitter Curry Kendall has been a significant offensive force, leading the team with 231 kills. On the defensive side, senior outside hitter Kira Holland has anchored the back row, topping the team with 218 digs. Additionally, sophomore outside hitter Corrine Knapp has proven to be a key player at the service line, leading Indiana State with 22 service aces throughout the season.
The first opponent, UIC, enters the weekend with an overall record of 8-12. In conference play, UIC has achieved a balanced record of 4-4. Key contributors for the UIC squad include Emma Colombari, who is recognized as their offensive leader in kills, and Ava Young, who paces the team defensively in digs, indicating strong presences on both sides of the net for the Chicago-based team.
On Saturday, the Sycamores will contend with Valparaiso University. Valparaiso comes into the weekend with an overall season record of 11-9 and a Missouri Valley Conference record of 3-5. Two players are central to Valparaiso's strategy: Ava Helming, who serves as their leading attacker in kills, and Olivia Wagner, who functions as the primary offensive facilitator through her assists.
Looking ahead, the Indiana State women's volleyball team has a series of home games following this road trip. The Blue and White will return to ISU Arena for two specific home events. The first is scheduled for Tuesday evening against Evansville at 6 p.m. This match will also serve as a Black Out Cancer/State Dance Marathon event, combining athletic competition with community engagement. Later that week, on Friday, Indiana State will host Northern Iowa at 6 p.m. for a Volloween-themed game. Both of these upcoming home contests at ISU Arena are slated to be available for streaming via ESPN+ for fans unable to attend in person.
