Normal, Ill. -  The Illinois Central College volleyball team begins post-season play this Saturday, November 7 as the #3 seed in the Central District B Tournament at Heartland. The Cougars will play #6 seeded East Central College at 1:00 pm and if they win, will advance to play the winner of Heartland/Lewis & Clark for the District Championship at 3:00 pm.

"We have battled injuries and illness throughout the season and are looking forward to having players back to play in Districts," coach Tracy Heffren said. "Last weekend in the Region 24/4 Crossover Tourney, we were able to have everyone back and work on our team chemistry."

ICC (31-11) is on a six-game winning streak after sweeping the weekend at the Region 4/24 Crossover in Champaign.

Heffren and staff have a variety of solid weapons in their asenal.

Sophomore outside hitter Whitney Rumbold has 330 kills while middle hitters Kailey Ciesielski (276 kills) and Jessi Rokey (242 kills) have also contributed.

Freshman Celia Cross (656 assists) and sophomore Ellie Dallas (458 assists in 24 matches) have paced the offense while freshman Audrey Rivord (568 digs) and Rumbold (521 digs) have anchored the defense. Harper Francis has been a force at the net with 94 blocks.

East Central College hails from Union, MO and enters the tourney with a 22-13 record. The Falcons most recently lost to Metropolitan 3-2 in the Region 16 Championship on October 31. 

Game 1 is between #2 Heartland (27-6) vs. Lewis & Clark (21-20) at 11:00 am with the Cougars following at 1:00 pm. 

2026 CENTRAL DISTRICT B TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE - Saturday, Nov. 7 at Heartland College, Normal, IL
11:00 PM | #2 Heartland (27-6) vs. #7 Lewis & Clark (21-20)
  1:00 PM | #6 East Central (22-13) vs. #3 Illinois Central (31-11)
  3:00 PM | Central B District Championship (Champion earns automatic bid to Nationals)
***Livestream: https://heartlandhawks.com/watch/?Archive=563&type=Live

2026 CENTRAL DISTRICT A TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE - Saturday, Nov. 7 at Parkland College, Champaign, IL
11:00 PM | #1 Parkland (45-3) vs. #8 Danville Area (22-13)
  1:00 PM | #4 Lincoln Land (12-24) vs. #5 Metropolitan (28-6)
  3:00 PM | Central A District Championship (Champion earns automatic bid to Nationals)