Oct. 15, 2014 Southern Illinois - Sat., Oct. 18, 7 p.m.
Sites:
Fri. - Carson Center
Sat. - Davies Gym
Locations:
Fri. - Evansville, Ind.
Sat. - Carbondale, Ill.
Live Video: Evansville |
SIU
Missouri State (12-7, 5-2 Missouri Valley Conference) rounds out its first trip through the Missouri Valley Conference schedule this weekend with visits to Evansville (7-12, 3-4) at 7 p.m. Friday and Southern Illinois (9-10, 3-4) at 7 p.m. Saturday. After last Friday's win over Wichita State, the Bears sit alone in third place in the standings and look poised to make a run as each of their next four opponents sit below .500 in the league.
The Opponents Evansville is 7-12 overall and 3-4 in MVC matches. The Purple Aces are led by the one-two punch of Ashley Ring and Genesis Miranda, who average 3.83 and 3.49 kills per set, respectively, to rank third and fourth in the league. As a team, UE hits .191 and allows opponents to hit .226 while averaging 12.14 kills, 0.76 aces, 13.60 digs and 2.54 blocks per set.
Southern Illinois is 9-10 and 3-4 in league play. Taylor Pippen leads the MVC in hitting percentage at .418 as one of four Salukis to average at least 2.00 kills per set. SIU hits .211 as a team and let opponents hit .243 with averages of 12.32 kills, 1.18 aces, 13.01 digs and 1.99 blocks per set.
The Series
Missouri State leads Evansville by a 38-3 margin, losing just twice since 1999.
The Bears lead SIU 47-17 in the all-time series, winning 16 of the last 19 meetings.
Last Week The Bears posted a 2-0 weekend with wins over Wichita State and Southeast Missouri State. Friday against Wichita State,
Lily Johnson posted 21 kills and 14 digs and
Kinsey McCarter dished out a career-high 58 assists as the Bears hit .258 in a five-set win.
Elise Munroe added a career-high 22 digs for the Bears. Monday at SEMO,
Andrea Beaty hit .562 with 10 kills as the Bears topped the Redhawks in straights sets.
