Indiana State University Athletics

Match 24 vs. Illinois State | Match 25 vs. Bradley
Match 24: Illinois State	Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 | 7 p.m. ET | Terre Haute, Ind. | ISU Arena | Pink Night, Kids Club Night, Post-Match Autographs and more!
	TV/Video: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Match 25: Bradley	Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 | 7 p.m. ET | Terre Haute, Ind. | ISU Arena | Canada Night | Free T-Shirts to First 50 Fans
	TV/Video: ESPN3 | Live Stats
Full Match Notes	Indiana State | Illinois State | Bradley
Series History
	Illinois State: Illinois State leads, 59-8 | Last match: ILS won, 3-1, on 9/29/2018 | Streak: ILS, 9
	Bradley: Bradley leads, 39-31 | Last match: BU won, 3-1, on 9/28/2018 | Streak: BU, 1
Social Media	@IndStVB | #MarchOn | Facebook | @IndStVB | YouTube

 

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Volleyball will finally return to Home, Sweet, Home this weekend as the Sycamores host Illinois State on Friday and Bradley on Saturday at ISU Arena. Several promotions are scheduled for the pair of Missouri Valley Conference matches including recognizing four Sycamores' Canadian heritage during Saturday's match.

OH, CANADA!

• Indiana State will recognize the four Canadian natives on its volleyball roster before and during Saturday's match. The Canadian National Anthem will be played prior to the match (in addition to the United States' national anthem), mini Canadian flags will be given to the first 100 fans and in-game music will feature Canadian musical artists.
• Friday will mark the annual Pink Night for ISU Volleyball.
• Fan's attending either match will receive a free ticket to Indiana State's Football game on Nov. 3.
• Friday's match will be Kids Club night and the team will sign autographs following the match.
• Saturday's match will include free t-shirts to the first 50 fans.

QUICK HITS

• Indiana State finally returns home after 20 days on the road.
• The Sycamores will honor its four Canadian natives on Saturday.
• The Trees look to stop a four-match losing streak entering the week and stay in contention for postseason play.
• Laura Gross ranks 45th nationally with 916 total attacks.
• Jade York ranks 109th nationally with 359 total digs this season.
• Melina Tedrow has moved to setter, filling in for Makayla Knoblauch over the few weeks, and has posted a double-double in several matches since the position change.
• The 2018 campaign marks the second season for the Sycamores under the direction of Lindsay Allman.

DEFENSIVE TREES

Indiana State is among one of the better defensive teams in the nation, entering this week's action ranked 37th nationally - and fourth in the Valley - in total digs (2,722) while ranking 46th nationally in digs per set (16.64).

HOME SWEET HOME

Following its longest road trip of the season – a span of 20 days away from ISU Arena – Indiana State finally returns to the Wabash Valley this week as the Sycamores host Illinois State (Oct. 26) and Bradley (Oct. 27).

FRESH START, BUT NOT BY CHOICE

Sometimes adversity thrusts you into a role you didn't expect. That has never been truer than for Indiana State Volleyball lately as an injury has sidelined setter Makayla Knoblauch and witnessing Melina Tedrow transition from defensive specialist to setter. While she did practice the position in preseason, it wasn't until Knoblauch's injury nearly midway through the conference season that Tedrow took the reins of the Sycamore offense.

IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD

Indiana State freshman Madeline Williams has not been intimidated by the collegiate level of play in her true freshman season. She currently leads the Sycamores with a .281 hitting percentage and is second on the team with 52 total blocks entering this week's action.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

Illinois State: One of the most powerful offensive teams in the Valley and nation, Illinois State ranks 13th nationally in kills per set (14.22) and 15th nationally in assists per set (13.27). They are stout defensively as well, ranking 11th nationally on opposition hitting percentage (.151) and 16th nationally in digs per set (17.75).

Bradley: If you thought Illinois State was good defensively, wait until you see Bradley. The Braves rank fourth nationally in digs per set (18.73) while holding teams to a .161 hitting percentage, a mark that ranks 29th in the nation.

ON THE ATTACK

Laura Gross is relentless. The senior hitter from Indiana State ranks 43rd nationally in total attacks (839) and 66th nationally in attacks per set (10.76). She's also a force on the other side of the ball, ranking 154th nationally with 302 digs this season.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.