Illinois State will serve as host for four Missouri Valley Conference Championships during the 2016–2017 school year. The 2016 MVC Women’s Soccer Championship, the 2017 MVC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Team Championships, and the 2017 MVC Softball Championship will take place on the Illinois State campus next season. Illinois State last served as host for all four of the championships in 2014.
Appears In“It is always a privilege to host MVC Championships, and we are pleased to be able to bring four championships back to Normal in 2016–17,” Illinois State Director of Athletics Larry Lyons said. “I know our coaches, staff, and administration team are excited about the opportunity to host these events and we will strive to provide a great championship experience for the student-athletes competing on our campus next year.”
The 2016 MVC Women’s Soccer Championship will take place at Adelaide Street Field on November 4–6. The top six teams (of seven) advance to the championship, and the top two seeds receive a first-round bye. First-round games will take place on campus sites on Sunday, October 30, with the winners of those contests advancing to the semifinals on Friday, November 4. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday, November 6, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship. The semifinals and final will air on The Valley on ESPN3.
The 2017 MVC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Team Championship will be played April 28–30 at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts. Since opening in April 2008, the courts have been the home of the Illinois State men’s and women’s tennis teams. The facility has 12 courts, used for both practice and home matches, and grass berms that assist in blocking wind and providing additional seating.
The 2017 MVC Softball Championship will be played May 11–13 at the Marian Kneer Softball Stadium. The MVC Softball Championship features eight teams in a single-elimination format, with the top two seeds receiving byes to the semifinals. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. All games will air on The Valley on ESPN3.
