Aces face Redbirds and Braves
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In its final road trip of the 2025 season, the University of Evansville volleyball team travels to Illinois State and Bradley this weekend. UE faces the Redbirds at 6 p.m. Friday before traveling to take on the Braves at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Recapping the Weekend
– Evansville dropped a pair of 3-0 contests to UIC and Valparaiso last weekend
– McKenzie Laubach led the team with 10 kills against the Flames while Brooke Herdes tallied 11 kills versus the Beacons
Hitting Her Stride
– Josdarilee Caraballo put together her top collegiate match at Murray State finishing with career marks in kills (19) and aces (6)
– Her 19 kills passed her previous mark of 13, which game against Georgia State
– She added eight digs in the contest and is averaging 2.29 per set
– Caraballo has 10 services aces over the last three matches and is averaging 2.81 kills per set over that time
Up to Seventh
– Ainoah Cruz has continued to establish herself as one of the nation’s top defensive players
– Completing last weekend with an average of 5.83 digs/set, Cruz improved her season average to 5.20, which is 2nd in the MVC and 7th in the country
– Her 1,315 career kills is ninth in Aces program history
– Cruz eclipsed the 1,000-dig mark earlier this season against UAB
Finishing Strong
– In a 3-match stretch that was highlighted by a career-high 18 kills, Brooke Herdes is averaging 3.27 kills per set
– Entering the road match at Murray State, she posted two or fewer kills in eight consecutive matches
– That streak came to a halt when the Herdes reset her career mark with 18 kills, besting her previous high of 17 versus PFW
– Herdes added 13 digs on the way to her third double-double of the season
Scouting the Opposition
– Illinois State enters Friday’s match with a 10-14 mark and sit at 5-7 in the MVC
– Caitlyn Little holds the team lead with 2.79 kills per set
– Bradley begins the weekend at 11-13 overall and 5-7 in the conference
– Tendai Titley holds the team lead with 2.84 kill per frame
