Oct. 11, 2011
SPRINGFIELD -
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Opponents: Southern Illinois (9-7, 3-4), Friday, October 14, 7 p.m.
Evansville (11-11, 1-6), Saturday, October 15, 7 p.m.
Site: Friday - Davies Gym
Saturday - Carson Center
Location: Friday - Carbondale, Ill.
Saturday - Evansville, Ind.
Radio: None
Live Audio: None
TV: None
Live Stats: Southern Illinois -- Evansville
Live Video: Southern Illinois
The Missouri State volleyball team (13-5, 6-1 Missouri Valley Conference) concludes its first time through the MVC schedule this weekend with a trip to Southern Illinois (9-7, 3-4) at 7 p.m. Friday and Evansville (11-11, 1-6) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Bears are 6-1 in league play for the ninth time in the last 12 seasons and reached the midway point of the conference schedule at 8-1 or better seven of the previous eight times.
The Opponents
Southern Illinois is 9-7 overall and 3-4 in MVC matches with wins against Evansville, Indiana State and Drake. Alysia Mays leads the MVC with a .372 hitting percentage and is one of three Salukis averaging at least 2.77 kills per set. As a team, SIU hits .196 and averages 12.82 kills, 1.06 aces, 16.58 digs and 2.02 blocks per set.
Evansville is 11-11 and 1-6 in Valley play after losing its last eight matches. The Purple Aces have four players averaging 2.36 kills per set or better and hit an identical .204 as the opposition. UE averages 13.07 kills, 17.58 digs, 0.78 aces and 2.03 kills per set.
The Series
MSU leads Southern Illinois 43-15 in the all-time series and had a 10-match winning streak in the series snapped with a five-set loss at SIU in 2009.
Missouri State has suffered just two losses in 35 all-time meetings with Evansville. The Bears had won 18 straight against the Aces until a five-set loss at UE in 2008.
Last Week
Missouri State beat Creighton 3-1 and Drake 3-0 to move into second place in the MVC standings.
Friday, the Bears held CU to .108 hitting and piled up 63 kills in four sets as Carly Thomas had seven kills, 51 assists and 10 digs and Ashley Mason led five players in double figures with 28 digs. Olivia Brand had six kills late in the fourth set to bring the Bears back from a 20-16 deficit.
Saturday, Brand had 13 kills and Missouri State hit .275 as a team in a sweep of Drake. Thomas, Mason and Brand each won weekly awards from the MVC.
