Nov. 9, 2011
SPRINGFIELD -
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Opponents: Evansville (13-16, 3-11), Friday, November 11, 7 p.m.
Southern Illinois (9-14, 3-11), Saturday, November 12, 7 p.m.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Radio: Saturday - KBFL 99.9 FM
Live Audio: Saturday - www.RadioSpringfield.com
TV: Friday - Mediacom 22
Live Stats: --
Live Video: Bears All-Access
The Missouri State volleyball team (18-7, 11-3 Missouri Valley Conference) closes its home season this weekend with matches against Evansville (13-16, 3-11) at 7 p.m. Friday and Southern Illinois (9-14, 3-11) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Bears moved back up to second place in the league standings last week with a win at Creighton, and need three wins in their final four matches to secure the No. 2 seed at the conference tournament.
Friday's match will be televised live locally on Mediacom 22, and seniors Kelley Michnowicz, Tiffany Moe and Calli Norman will be honored Saturday at their final home match.
The Opponents
Evansville is 13-16 and 3-11 in Valley play. The Purple Aces have five players averaging 2.10 kills per set or better and hit .195 compared to .205 for the opposition. UE averages 12.96 kills, 17.43 digs, 0.77 aces and 2.14 blocks per set.
Southern Illinois is 9-14 overall and 3-11 in MVC matches and enters its Friday match at Wichita State having lost eight matches in a row. Alysia Mays ranks third in the MVC with a .354 hitting percentage and is one of three Salukis averaging at least 2.71 kills per set. As a team, SIU hits .178 and averages 12.43 kills, 0.96 aces, 16.01 digs and 2.10 blocks per set.
The Series
Missouri State has suffered just two losses in 36 all-time meetings with Evansville. The Bears had won 18 straight against the Aces until a five-set loss at UE in 2008.
MSU leads Southern Illinois 44-15 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.
Last Week
Missouri State claimed 3-1 wins at Drake and Creighton last week to move back into second place in the MVC standing.
Friday, Carly Thomas had 53 assists and 21 digs and four players had between 10 and 13 kills in the win at DU.
Saturday, Thomas posted another 50/20 with 50 assists and 22 digs and freshman Kaitlin Jaeger had 17 kills on .355 hitting to beat CU 3-1. Calli Norman add 14 kills on .500 hitting.
First Meetings This Season
Missouri State won on the road against SIU and Evansville on Oct. 14 and 15. Against SIU, 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.
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.
