Aug. 28, 2012
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Opponents:
Oral Roberts - Thursday, August 30, 7 p.m.
#11 Dayton - Friday, August 31, 7 p.m.
UALR - Saturday, Sept. 1, 12 p.m.
Austin Peay - Saturday, Sept. 1, 6 p.m.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Location: Springfield, Mo.
TV: Thursday - Mediacom 22
Live Stats: -- -- --
Live Video: Bears All-Access
Missouri State begins an action-packed home season this week by hosting the University Plaza Invitational. Thursday's match with Oral Roberts marks the first of 33 college volleyball matches at Hammons Student Center in 2012 as the Bears host the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational Sept. 7-8, the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Nov. 22-24, as well as nine MVC regular-season matches.
The Bears also play No. 11 Dayton, Arkansas-Little Rock and Austin Peay in the event.
The opening weekend of the regular season saw the Bears face stiff competition and end up with an 0-3 record for the first time since 1995. MSU lost to Oklahoma (3-1), Tulsa (3-0) and Western Michigan (3-1), three teams that made the 2011 NCAA Tournament and boasted RPIs of 39 or better a season ago.
The Opponents
Oral Roberts is 2-1 on the season after defeating San Jose State and Canisius and losing to Buffalo in UB's tournament. The Golden Eagles are picked to finish second in their inaugural season in the Southland Conference.
Dayton opened its season with a bang, defeating 2011 NCAA runner-up Illinois, 11th-ranked Pepperdine and Ohio in the opening weekend. The Flyers checked in at No. 11 in this week's AVCA poll.
Arkansas-Little Rock is 2-1 on the year with wins over Austin Peay and Memphis and a loss to Eastern Michigan. The Trojans were projected to finish third in the Sun Belt West Division this season.
Austin Peay was 1-3 entering its Tuesday match at Western Kentucky, including a win over Memphis and a 3-0 loss to MVC squad Southern Illinois.
The Series
Missouri State leads ORU 25-9 in the all-time series, including a 3-1 win in the 2011 opener.
The series between the Bears and UD is tied 1-1, with Dayton taking the last meeting in 2005.
The Bears and Arkansas-Little Rock are tied 2-2 in the series. UALR defeated Missouri State 3-1 at Hammons Student Center in 2008 in the last meeting.
Missouri State and Austin Peay have never played in volleyball.
