Currently sitting at sixth place in the Missouri Valley, the University of Evansville volleyball team (12-11, 5-6) will look to increase its lead on the road over Illinois State and Indiana State this weekend.

The Aces face off with Illinois State (9-13, 4-7) at 7:00 p.m. on Friday in the Redbirds’ breast cancer awareness match before traveling to take on the Sycamores (6-19, 2-9) on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

“At this point in the weekend, every game is important, especially on the road,” said Evansville head coach Mike Swan. “I think we go in with confidence to both places since we have played them earlier this season and won when we weren’t playing our best. I think we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from them offensively and defensively.

“Blocking is going to be key for us. If we can shut down their big hitters and keep our players in system, then I think we have a good shot of coming up with two huge road wins.”

Evansville enters the matches with 3-2 wins earlier this season over both teams at home. Senior Ginta Gabruseva leads the team with 3.13 kills per set followed by sophomore Brooke Maher with a 2.83 average. Setter Ellen Sawin helps get the offense started at 10.42 assists per set. The Aces are also currently ranked 25th in the nation in digs per set, which is led by junior Julie Sylvester with a 4.61 dig average.

Illinois State is currently tied for seventh in the conference and one game behind the Aces for that MVC Tournament slot. The Aces have never won a match in Normal. Mallory Leggett recently posted her 1,000th career kill and leads the Redbirds with 3.44 kills per set. Tabitha Visk sits behind Leggett with a 2.60 kill average. Kristin Stauter has collected 8.19 assists per set while Kasey Mollerus has notched 4.00 digs per set.

Indiana State comes into the weekend after a loss to Butler on Wednesday. Jodilynne Stoker leads the Sycamores in kills with 2.88 per set while Ana Maira Charun averages 2.35. Whitney Fromm is Indiana State’s assists leader with 7.64 assists per set. Kiya James has tabbed a 4.58 digs average this season.