Volleyball Game Preview: Normal University Pioneers vs. Mater Dei Knights

The Normal University Pioneers will challenge the Mater Dei Knights at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Normal University comes in on 27 and Mater Dei on 13.

Normal University is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Thursday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Morton, sneaking past 2-1.

Emma Jean Lehnen

Digs

11/06/25 vs Morton	17
11/04/25 vs Springfield	8
10/30/25 @ Bloomington	2
10/28/25 vs Urbana	6
10/20/25 @ Metamora	3
+ 31 more games

Emma Jean Lehnen was the offensive standout of the match as she had 17 digs and one assist. That's the most digs she has posted since back in November of 2024.

Meanwhile, Mater Dei faced Mascoutah in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Thursday. The Knights sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 2-1 victory over the Indians. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Knights have posted since September 30th.

Normal University better focus on containing Ava Lampe and Lauren Jamruk as the pair were huge in Mater Dei's win. Lampe had 17 digs and four assists, while Jamruk had ten digs and five assists. Lampe is on a roll when it comes to digs, as she's now had ten or more in each of the last three games she's played.

Mater Dei's victory bumped their record up to 33-6. As for Normal University, their win bumped their record up to 35-4.

Normal University was able to grind out a solid victory over Mater Dei in their previous meeting back in September of 2024, winning 2-0. Do the Pioneers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Knights turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.