Ace Hunt
GoSycamores.com
Setting The Stage
Coming off tournament victories in two of its first three tournaments the Sycamores will play their 10th consecutive match to start the season away from home as they make the short trip over to Indianapolis, Ind., to take on Butler on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:00 p.m. (ET). The Sycamores are 5-4 on the season while Butler enters the contest with an 8-4 overall record.
Series History
Butler
All Time Series: 8-15
Last Meeting: 1999, L 2-3 (Away)
Under Coach Dahl-Skinner: 0-0
THE HEAD COACH
Traci Dahl-Skinner
9th season (96-160)
Two Wins In Two Weeks
Indiana State picked up their second tournament victory in as many weeks as the Sycamores used victories over host Marshall and Morehead State to win the West Virginia Capital Classic. In the first week of the regular season, the Sycamores captured the Marriott Invitational, hosted by Samford. It is believed this is the first time in the history of the program that the Sycamore Volleyball program has won two tournaments away from ISU Arena in the same season. Under head coach Traci Dahl, the Sycamores have won at least one tournament in each of the last four years.
Griffin Named MVP Twice
For the second time in as many weeks, junior Rachel Griffin earned tournament MVP honors. This time the honor came at the Capital Classic one week after taking a similar honor at the Marriott Invitational. Over the three game stretch, Griffin posted 119 assists, averaging 9.15 per set as the Sycamores used victories over Morehead State and host Marshall to win the tournament. Griffin added 23 digs, 6.5 total blocks and one service ace in securing the team tournament win. In the opener, the Sycamores battled Big 12 foe West Virginia close and Griffin tallied 49 assists with two kills, two blocks and one service ace. She and the Sycamores made quick work of Morehead State in the second game of the tournament as she had 27 assists, one kill, six digs and 1.5 blocks in the three set sweep. Indiana State played their second five set match of the tournament and with the victory over host Marshall secured the championship as Griffin posted 43 assists and 10 digs for the double-double. She added 3.0 total blocks in the victory.
Spangler 12th Ever To 1,000 Career Kills
Senior Bree Spangler became the 12th member of the Indiana State Volleyball 1,000-Kill Club when she posted 14 kills in a thrilling five set victory over Louisiana-Lafayette on September 10 at the North Texas Invitational. She is the first Sycamore to reach the important career milestone since Morgan Dall did it in 2013. For the season, Spangler has posted 87 kills to rank second on the team.
For MVC Openers
Indiana State will open its 33rd season of Missouri Valley Conference volleyball play on Friday, September 16 when they Sycamores host Bradley in a match that is also part of the ISU Classic inside ISU Arena. After 10 matches away from home, the Sycamores will finally open the home portion of their schedule against the Braves. It marks the fifth time that the Sycamores have opened MVC play against the Braves as ISU will be looking for their first victory in a league opener against the Braves. All-time ISU has won two MVC openers and are 1-10 when the league lidlifter is at home. ISU is also looking to start MVC play with a victory for the first time under head coach Traci Dahl.
Shannon Murphy Named All-Tournament Twice
Indiana State senior Shannon Murphy picked up her second all-tournament honor in as many weeks as she was honored following the North Texas Invitational. She was also an all-tournament selection following play in the Capital City Classic.
Tournament Play At Home
Indiana State will play in one more early season tournament this coming weekend, September 16-17 as they host the ISU Classic. The Sycamores got off to fast start to the season with tournament championships at the Marriott Invitational hosted by Samford as well as the Capital City Classic hosted by Marshall. Junior Rachel Griffin was named the Most Valuable Player in both of those events. Shannon Murphy picked up all-tournament honors at the North Texas Invitational as the Sycamores closed out that event with a five set victory over Louisiana-Lafayette.
Defensive Sycamores
Through three weeks of the 2016 campaign, the Sycamore defense continues to be strong and is a major reason for the program's 5-4 start to the season. ISU is second in the Missouri Valley Conference by limiting teams to just a .169 hitting percentage through the first nine matches. The Sycamores are also second in the league in service aces averaging 1.49 per set. Both Cassie Kawa and Bree Spangler rank in the league's Top 10 for individual service aces.
Back To Back Winners
With its victory on November 13, 2015 at Evansville, Indiana State secured the program's first back-to-back winning seasons since 1981 & 1982. The Sycamores finished above .500 last season with a 17-16 overall record after compiling a 17-13 overall record in 2014. Indiana State will be vying for its first-ever third consecutive winning campaign in 2016.
Sycamores Picked 7th In The MVC
The Sycamores have been picked to finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference standings as announced late this summer by the league office. Wichita State was picked to defend its conference championship. Indiana State begins conference play on Friday, September 16 at home against Bradley as part of the Indiana State Tournament.
Smart Sycamores
ISU earned its 18th straight AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2015 season. The streak is the longest among all schools and ties Drury University (Division II) for the longest streak in the history of the award.
Up Next
Indiana State will open the home portion of the schedule when they host MVC foe Bradley on Friday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the ISU Arena as they begin the 2016 ISU Classic. On Saturday, September 17 the Sycamores will take on Western Michigan at 4:00 p.m. (ET).
