Oct. 31, 2012
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Opponents:
Illinois State - Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.
Indiana State - Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m.
Site:
Friday - Redbird Arena
Saturday - ISU Arena
Location:
Friday - Normal, Ill.
Saturday - Terre Haute, Ind.
Live Audio: Friday - Bears All-Access
Live Stats: -- Indiana State
Live Video: Friday - Bears All-Access
Missouri State (13-12, 7-6 Missouri Valley Conference) looks to carry its momentum into a three-match road swing over the next two weeks, beginning with two matches this weekend. The Bears take on Illinois State at 7 p.m. Friday and visit Indiana State at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Opponents
Illinois State is 13-9 overall and one half game ahead of MSU at 7-5 in the conference. The Redbirds hit .186 as a team and limit the opposition to .156 while averaging 12.6 kills, 1.37 aces, 16.85 digs and 2.58 blocks per set.
Indiana State is 3-19 overall and 1-11 in conference play, with the league victory coming at home over Bradley. The Sycamores have lost their last nine matches and hit .178 as a team with averages of 11.66 kills, 1.24 aces, 13.88 digs and 1.64 blocks per set. Opponents hit .246 against ISU.
The Series
Missouri State has squared off with Illinois State more than any other school, and holds a 45-41 series lead in 86 all-time meetings. Missouri State has been in control of the series lately, winning 21 of the last 27 overall.
Missouri State leads the all-time series with Indiana State by a 52-1 margin, with the Bears' lone loss occurring in five sets in 1994. Since then, the Bears have reeled off 38 straight wins against the Sycamores.
First Meetings This Season
Missouri State found itself down two sets to Illinois State on Oct. 6 and did its best to replicate its 2011 home match with the Redbirds that resulted in a comeback win, but fell short after failing to convert a trio of match points in a 17-15 fifth-set loss.
One night earlier, the Bears won the final two sets for a 3-2 victory over Indiana State. Kaitlin Jaeger led MSU with 18 kills and six players had at least 10 digs, while a pair of Sycamores surpassed the 20-kill mark in the loss.
Last Week
The Bears grabbed a pair of 3-1 wins at Hammons Student Center, beating Bradley and UNI.
Friday, Carly Thomas had 10 kills, 50 assists and 17 digs to lead MSU past the Braves.
Then on Saturday, the Bears became the second MVC team to beat UNI in 73 matches, hitting .336 over the final three sets. Kinsey McCarter had 11 kills, 11 digs and seven blocks, and MSU stuffed 13 UNI attacks while scooping 86 digs.
