Nov. 16, 2011
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Opponents: Indiana State (14-14, 6-10), Friday, November 18, 6 p.m.
Illinois State (17-11, 9-7), Saturday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Site: Friday - ISU Arena
Saturday - Redbird Arena
Location: Friday - Terre Haute, Ind.
Saturday - Normal, Ill.
Live Audio: Saturday - www.GoRedbirds.com
TV: Saturday - Mediacom in Illinois St. market
Live Stats: Indiana State --
Live Video: Saturday - Bears All-Access
The Missouri State volleyball team (20-7, 13-3 Missouri Valley Conference) closes the regular season this weekend with a trip to Indiana State (14-14, 6-10) at 6 p.m. Friday and Illinois State (17-11, 9-7) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Bears will secure the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament with at least one victory, advancing to the Friday, Nov. 25 semifinal at 5 p.m. in the process.
The Opponents
Indiana State is 14-14 overall and 6-10 in MVC play, recording its highest win total since 2003 and on the verge of its first conference tournament berth since 2004. Stacy Qualizza leads the MVC in hitting percentage at .387 and the Sycamores hit .198 as a team compared to .177 for opponents and average 12.39 kills, 1.31 aces, 16.61 digs and 1.77 blocks per set.
Illinois State is 17-11 overall and fifth in the MVC with a 9-7 league record. The Redbirds have gone beyond three sets in 18 of their 28 matches this season and hit .189 as a team while yielding .170 to opponents. ISU averages 12.94 kills, 0.98 aces, 16.08 digs and 2.24 blocks per set.
The Series
Missouri State leads the all-time series with Indiana State by a 50-1 margin, with the Bears' lone loss occurring in five sets in 1994. Since then, the Bears have reeled off 36 straight wins against the Sycamores.
Missouri State has squared off with Illinois State more than any other school, and holds a 44-40 series lead in 84 all-time meetings. Missouri State has been in control of the series lately, winning 20 of the last 25 overall, though the Redbirds won the final two meetings in 2010.
Last Week
Missouri State reached the 20 win mark for the 13th consecutive season with victories against Evansville and Southern Illinois.
Friday against UE, Kaitlin Jaeger had 11 kills and hit .417 and Carly Thomas had 38 assists in the 3-0 win.
Saturday, Calli Norman had 12 kills and Karen Rivatto added 10 as the Bears limited SIU to .070 hitting in a sweep.
First Meetings This Season
Missouri State opened MVC play with Illinois State and Indiana State on Sept. 16 and 17.
Against the Redbirds, the Bears rallied from two sets down thanks to a breakout 22-kill performance from Olivia Brand to win in five.
The Bears hit .245 in a balanced effort the next night against the Sycamores, winning 3-0.
