Oct. 26, 2011
SPRINGFIELD -
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Missouri State Homecoming schedule of events
Opponents: #12 UNI (22-1, 11-0), Friday, October 28, 7 p.m.
Bradley (9-12, 2-9), Saturday, October 29, 7 p.m.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Radio: KBFL 99.9 FM
Live Audio: www.RadioSpringfield.com
Live Stats: --
Live Video: Bears All-Access
The Missouri State volleyball team (15-6, 8-2 Missouri Valley Conference) continues its three-match homestand as part of a busy Homecoming Weekend at MSU with matches against No. 12 UNI (22-1, 11-0) at 7 p.m. Friday and Bradley (9-12, 2-9) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Bears sit one-half game ahead of Creighton for second place in the MVC standings with eight conference matches to play.
The Opponents
UNI is 22-1 overall, 11-0 in Valley play and ranked 12th in this week's AVCA Top 25. The Panthers have won 51 consecutive matches against MVC teams dating to a 3-0 loss to the Bears in the 2008 MVC Tournament final. The Panthers hit .247 as a team compared to .153 for opponents and have five players averaging from 2.45-2.55 kills per set for the season along with two-time MVC Player of the Year Bre Payton running the offense. UNI also averages 14.54 kills, 17.85 digs, 2.39 blocks and 1.05 aces per set.
Bradley is 9-12 overall and 2-9 in MVC play entering its Friday match at Wichita State. The Braves hit .190 as a team compared to .207 for the opposition and average 12.41 kills, 14.71 digs, 1.54 blocks and 1.25 aces per set.
The Series
The all-time series with UNI is 42-19 in favor of the Panthers. UNI has won the last five meetings after the Bears won six of 13 from 2004-08.
Missouri State holds a 42-8 series edge with Bradley and has won 21 of the last 22 meetings with the Braves, the loss coming in Peoria in 2008.
Last Week
Missouri State lost at home to Wichita State Friday by scores of 22-25, 25-11, 23-25, 17-25. The Bears had 57 kills compared to 44 for the Shockers, but were blocked 17 times as part of 33 attack errors, leading to a .168 hitting percentage versus .197 for the visitors.
First Meeting This Season
Missouri State won 3-1 at Bradley on Sept. 30 and lost 3-0 the following night at UNI.
Against Bradley, Carly Thomas had eight kills, 46 assists and 13 digs to help Coach Stokes to her MVC record 197th career conference win.
At UNI, the Bears were held to a season-low .076 hitting percentage in the sweep. Karen Rivatto with 11 was the only Bear with more than seven kills.
