NORMAL - For the fourth straight game, Illinois State (13-7, 6-2 MVC) found themselves in the win column after defeating Valparaiso (8-13, 3-4 MVC) in four sets Saturday night. Junior Kaylee Martin started the scoring for ISU with a kill to open the first set, but it was a back and forth effort from both teams. After seven ties and five lead changes, the Crusaders found themselves with a 13-11 […]
NORMAL- Despite being without two of their stars, the Illinois State Redbirds (12-7, 5-2) handed Loyola (13-7, 6-1) their first conference loss when they defeated the Ramblers in four sets, (19-25, 25-19, 25-13, 26-24), Friday night at Redbird Arena. Loyola opened the match on a 7-1 scoring run that ultimately forced Illinois State Head Coach, Leah Johnson to take an early timeout. Even following the timeout, the Redbirds were never […]
NORMAL- On Tuesday afternoon, Illinois State Volleyball Head Coach, Leah Johnson announced that Junior Kendal Meier who missed yesterday’s match vs. Evansville, will miss 6-8 weeks with an undisclosed injury. Coach Johnson says the team will know more about the extent of the injury next week but hopes Meier will be back in time for postseason play. More updates will be provided as details emerge.
(Photo courtesy of Nick Imparo) NORMAL - When the announcement that The Redbird Classic was coming to Redbird Arena was made, Illinois State Volleyball Head Coach Leah Johnson was excited for the opportunity to showcase premier volleyball in front of Redbird fans. Days before the Classic, Johnson said she was looking for her team to get a ‘significant win’. With the Redbird Classic in the books and a winner crowned, […]
(Photo courtesy of Nick Imparo) NORMAL- On Friday night in front of 3,850 energetic fans at newly renovated Redbird Arena, the Illinois State Redbirds opened the Redbird Classic with a four set (25-16, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21) victory over No. 14 ranked, Illinois. The Redbirds wasted no time jumping all over the Illini in the first set when they took a 9-2 commanding lead. A start in which Illinois State Head […]
The 2019 Redbird Volleyball Team (Photo Courtesy Anthony Ferretti/WZND). NORMAL – Competition and Drive: that's Redbird Volleyball's mindset heading into the upcoming season with a young but determined squad. Head Coach Leah Johnson helped lead the program to a 25-8 record in her second season at the helm of the Redbirds. Those 25 wins helped them earn a regular season conference championship and an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament. […]
NORMAL - Illinois State University athletics has announced that Volleyball coach Leah Johnson and her former college teammates at Missouri State will be enshrined into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. The enshrinement will take place during the organization’s women’s sports luncheon in Springfield, Missouri on March 27th. Coach Johnson says her journey to Missouri State was unique. “I think every athlete has a different story. I needed someone to take […]
NORMAL – It’s quite an accomplishment to play one sport at the Division I level, let alone two sports. After serving as an outside hitter for Redbird Volleyball, Lexi Wallen stayed on the court and joined the basketball team. She walked onto the team in the middle of the season after she found out about an open spot on the squad. It was an easy decision for Wallen after staying […]
