Nov. 26, 2013

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Schedule:
Thursday, November 28, 7:30 p.m. vs. #5 Illinois State (18-12, 11-7)
Friday, November 29, 7:30 p.m. vs. #1 Wichita State (26-6, 15-3) (if necessary)
Saturday, November 30, 4:30 p.m. - Championship Match (if necessary)
Location: Wichita, Kan.
Site: Koch Arena
Live Stats: www.MVC-Sports.com
Live Video: ESPN3.com
Television: Thursday and Friday on ESPN3, Saturday on Fox Sports Midwest

The Missouri State volleyball team closed out the regular season with a 21-10 overall record and a 12-6 mark in Missouri Valley Conference action to finish fourth in the league standings. The Bears now head to Wichita for the MVC Volleyball Championship Nov. 28-30, and begin with fifth-seeded Illinois State at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The winner of that match advances to play No. 1 Wichita State in the semifinals on Friday, with the championship match set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The other half of the bracket includes No. 2 UNI, No. 3 Southern Illinois and No. 6 Bradley.

The Opponent
Illinois State is 18-12 overall and finished fifth in the MVC with an 11-7 record. The Redbirds boast a balanced offense with five players averaging at least 1.99 kills per set, and hit .217 as a team with a league-best .150 opponent attack efficiency. Illinois State averages 13.28 kills, 1.22 aces, 16.96 digs and 2.38 blocks per set.

Championship History
Missouri State has appeared in six of the last 12 MVC Tournament finals. MSU is 24-23 in the tournament with titles coming in 1990, 1993, 2005 and 2008. The Bears won the tournament the last time it was held in Wichita, entering as the No. 4 seed and defeating Illinois State, undefeated and ninth-ranked WSU, and UNI in the championship match.