Oct. 18, 2011
SPRINGFIELD -
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Opponent: Wichita State (12-7, 6-3), Friday, October 21, 6 p.m.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Live Stats:
Live Video: Bears All-Access
The Missouri State volleyball team (15-5, 8-1 Missouri Valley Conference) begins the second half of the conference season Friday at 6 p.m. when it hosts Wichita State (12-7, 6-3) in the team's only match this week. It will be MSU's annual Dig Pink match raising money for breast cancer research and awareness in partnership with the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. Pink t-shirts designed by senior Calli Norman will also be available for sale.
The Opponent
Wichita State is 12-7 overall and 6-3 in MVC play with league losses coming against Missouri State, UNI and Evansville. The Shockers also have a pair of top 25 wins to their credit this season against Oklahoma and Colorado State.
WSU leads the MVC with a .267 hitting percentage that jumps to .318 when only league matches are included. The Shockers average 13.41 kills, 1.27 aces, 15.20 digs and 2.34 blocks per set while letting opponents hit .183.
The Series
Missouri State holds a 43-19 all-time series edge over Wichita State, though WSU has won 13 of the last 20 meetings. Of those 20 matches, 11 have gone the full five sets.
Last Week
Missouri State concluded its first trip through the MVC schedule with wins at Southern Illinois and Evansville. Friday, the Bears hit .257 and held SIU to .108 in a 3-0 sweep of the Salukis. Six players had between six and eight kills for MSU.
Saturday, Missouri State escaped Evansville with a 3-1 win on the strength of 102 digs to hold UE to .118 hitting. Karen Rivatto led all players with 20 kills.
First Meeting This Season
Missouri State beat the Shockers in Wichita on Sept. 23 by scores of 25-23, 25-21 and 26-24. Carly Thomas had 37 assists, 15 digs and seven kills on the way to MVC Player of the Week honors, and Christine McCartney and Olivia Brand shared match-high honors with 11 kills each as the Bears earned their first sweep of WSU since 2005.
