Oct. 23, 2013

View Complete Release as a PDF

Opponents:
UNI - Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
Drake - Saturday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Live Stats: |
Live Video: Bears All-Access

The Missouri State volleyball team (13-8, 5-4 Missouri Valley Conference) begins its second trip through the MVC schedule this week by hosting Northern Iowa (15-6, 7-2) at 7 p.m. Friday and Drake (2-19, 0-9) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Bears are halfway to their 15th consecutive winning season in MVC play with the schedule turning in their favor the second half as the top three teams in the standings all come to Hammons Student Center.

The Opponents
UNI is 15-6 overall and 7-2 in league play at the season's midway point. The Panthers have five players averaging at least 2.12 kills per set and hit .230 as a team while holding opponents to a .175 attack efficiency. UNI averages 14.19 kills, 0.95 aces, 17.29 digs and 2.41 blocks per set.
Drake is 2-19 overall and 0-9 in MVC matches entering its Friday contest at Wichita State. The Bulldogs hit .140 as a team compared to .240 for opponents with averages of 10.64 kills, 0.85 aces, 15.23 digs and 2.01 blocks per set.

The Series
The all-time series with UNI is 45-20 in favor of the Panthers. UNI had won seven in a row before the Bears snapped the streak in Springfield last season.
MSU is 52-9 against Drake and has won 28 of the last 29 meetings, the exception being a loss in Springfield in 2010.

First Meetings This Season
The Bears nearly defeated UNI on Sept. 28 in Cedar Falls, hitting .609 in the first set and .353 in the second before the Panthers won the final three sets. Karen Rivatto led the Bears with 14 kills and Kaitlin Jaeger added 12 on .407 hitting.
Missouri State swept Drake on Sept. 27, hitting .333 as a team. Kayla Walton hit .478 with 13 kills and Ashley Mason had 22 digs for the Bears.