Redbird volleyball picked to finish 3rd in MVC, Pence named to preseason Valley team

Posted on August 15, 2018
Courtney pence
ISU’s Courtney Pence is on pace to become the Missouri Valley Conference’s all-time digs leader this season. (GoRedbirds.com)

 

By Greg Halbleib

NORMAL – Illinois State volleyball has been picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference according to the poll of league coaches released Wednesday, with standout libero Courtney Pence earning preseason Valley honors.

The Redbirds return five starters and their libero from the squad that finished 22-13 overall and 13-5 in the MVC and earned a postseason bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.

Pence was named to the seven-player preseason All-Conference team. She enters 2018 play as the NCAA career digs leader (2,083) and led the Valley last year with 821 digs, most in conference history.

Northern Iowa is the favorite to win the title with two-time defending champion Missouri State chosen second.

The Redbirds conduct their annual Red and White Scrimmage on Friday at 6 p.m. and host DePaul in an exhibition Saturday at 1 p.m.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]. 

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