Shocks Open Valley Play at MSU on Friday; at home vs EVN on Monday

[1972Shocker]

Elsewhere around the Valley:

Illinois State 3-1 over Loyola at home to go to 2-0.

Southern Illinois 3-2 over UNI at home. UNI drops to 0-2.

Drake over Evansville 3-2.

[ShockerFever]

Bares getting owned by Wichita State. What else is new?


Looks like UNI is beginning their fall from grace.

[WuDrWu]

Looks like UNI is beginning their fall from grace.

UNI is an example of testing yourself really hard in the non-conference, but instead of getting better against really good competition, they've become a team (for now at least) that's used to losing tough matches.

They will be the proverbial dangerous wounded animal next weekend. After today they're likely to be 1-2 in conference play with Missouri State and WSU coming to town.

Faced with the prospect of being 1-4, with 3 of those losses at home, the Panthers should be laser focused on trying to beat both teams they hope to battle for the top prize in the Valley.


With UE and the Drake in between WSU and the Panthers next Saturday, the likelihood of a 3-0 Shocker team squaring off against a 1-3 Panther team is large.

4 games behind the Shocks is not where UNI would want to find themselves, one day into October. They will be ready, willing, but will they be able?

[1972Shocker]

I would be careful to write off UNI. Like WSU, and before WSU, UNI has a volleyball program. Tradition, prided and very good coaching. They always seem to play great defense and never seem to be an easy out.

I think the top of the Valley may be as good as I have ever seen it from 1 through 5. WSU, MSU, UNI, ILS and SIU all seem capable of beating each other on any given night. The Shocks got a big win last night but they are still just 1-0. Not to mention that the injury bug is presenting some challenges.

One thing I did not mention regarding Lambo's post-game comments last night was that he said it was really loud. The crowd was reported at 1,141 which is not Yuge but apparently the MSU band was in the house and making it hard to hear (during breaks in the action I assume) according to Lambo. He said he wasn't sure the girls could hear him. But this team continues to show a good level of toughness and mettle.

[WuDrWu]

Another match, another injury. This time Giorgia Civita went down with a knee issue during practice Friday prior to the match. She was in sweats and I couldn't tell one way or the other if her knee was in a brace.


She didn't appear in a lot of stress, but "not being in a lot of stress" is a long way from being able to play top 25 level volleyball.


Hopefully she makes a quick recovery.

[1972Shocker]

Another match, another injury. This time Giorgia Civita went down with a knee issue during practice Friday prior to the match. She was in sweats and I couldn't tell one way or the other if her knee was in a brace.


She didn't appear in a lot of stress, but "not being in a lot of stress" is a long way from being able to play top 25 level volleyball.


Hopefully she makes a quick recovery.

Yeah, it was hard to say how much stress or distress she was in. She did stand during timeouts and she wasn't using crutches but did sit during play but in a normal sitting posture with both knees bent. Looked like she was putting weight on the injured leg. I'm going to say no brace but could have been wrapped. Hopefully Georgia can return relatively soon.

[flyingMoose]

Saturday Scores

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 3-1 Drake

ILLINOIS STATE 3-0 Bradley

Northern Iowa 3-0 EVANSVILLE

Loyola 3-2 INDIANA STATE

[WuDrWu]

Just got a notification that there will be free 'Wichita is not a state' shirts to the first 100 fans. Haha. This thing is apparently going to be a thing that stands the test of time.

That chant got really old in a 5 set match. I want to give you guys credit for a good atmosphere, but then no.

[Ta town]

That chant got really old in a 5 set match. I want to give you guys credit for a good atmosphere, but then no.

About the dumbest thing ever, it's a State University...pretty simple. I guess when you suck, you suck at everything, including being able to understand things.

I'm sure in their heads they were all citizens of a State called Southwest Missouri 10 years ago.

[1972Shocker]

About the dumbest thing ever, it's a State University...pretty simple. I guess when you suck, you suck at everything, including being able to understand things.

I'm sure in their heads they were all citizens of a State called Southwest Missouri 10 years ago.

Not sure I would be discouraging MSU and its fans from using the Wichita is Not a State meme. It seems to be a good luck talisman. Shocks have now won 7 of the last 8 VB matches in Springfield.

[boyshocker]

Mother Nature got involved to spare their football team....this could be all they have left.

I think this team is channeling a little MTXE, proud the way Danny stepped up. She has had her struggles but overall that was much better. Keep it going Katy, going to need that kind of play the next month. And hard to believe Jody hadn't jumped all week . Her numbers were not up to what she has been doing but that can be expected with a bad wheel. After listening to Mike and Lamb the other night we need her on the court.

[Cdizzle]

Not sure I would be discouraging MSU and its fans from using the Wichita is Not a State meme. It seems to be a good luck talisman. Shocks have now won 7 of the last 8 VB matches in Springfield.

Yep. And most Missouri State fans can't count as high as the number of consecutive men's basketball losses.

[WuDrWu]

Hopefully Jody will get the night off. We shouldn't need her against UE and it will give some others a chance to get some game experience.

I'm concerned about Civita.

At least it's the one area we can "most afford" (if that makes any sense at all) an injury.

[boyshocker]

Agree about Jody getting a night off. Going to need her more this weekend. The littles need to bring their game, may be time to run all 12-15 of them out there.

[flyingMoose]

With the official NCAA RPI yet a week away and since there is no radio show tonight, RichKern has the following for the top half of the Valley:

37 Shockers
50 Southern Illinois
71 Missouri State
76 Northern Iowa
99 Illinois State