ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Returning eight student-athletes that started at least nine matches last season, while bringing in the top-rated recruiting class in program history, has the Illinois State volleyball team picked to finish third in the preseason Missouri Valley Coaches Poll. Two Redbirds – Aida Shadewald and Khenedi Guest – were named to the preseason All-MVC squad.
The Redbirds earned 95 poll points, tied with Drake for third overall, and trailing only Northern Iowa (120 points) and UIC (107).
Last season Shadewald was named to the All-MVC First Team after leading ISU with 385 kills, while hitting at a .