Note: Fans are encourage to arrive early Friday night as parking may be limited due to an event at JQH Arena. The Bear Park North and South garages will have available parking.

Missouri State (10-7, 4-2 Missouri Valley Conference) closes its three-match homestand Friday at 7 p.m. when Wichita State (10-6, 4-2) visits Hammons Student Center, then turns around for a trip to SEMO on Monday at 4 p.m. for the final non-conference match of the regular season. The Bears and Shockers are tied for third place in the MVC roughly one-third of the way through the schedule.

The Opponents

Wichita State is 10-6 overall and 4-2 in MVC play as the preseason conference favorite. The Shockers have played a challenging schedule this year and have five players averaging at least 2.07 kills per set. WSU hits .209 as a team compared to .220 for the opposition and averages 12.56 kills, 1.26 aces, 15.00 digs and 1.78 blocks per set.

SEMO is 5-12 overall and 1-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play ahead of weekend matches against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. Despite their record, the Redhawks have out-hit opponents .202-.196 this season and average 12.14 kills, 1.03 aces, 15.27 digs and 1.92 blocks per set.

The Series

Missouri State holds a 43-26 all-time series edge over Wichita State, though WSU has won 20 of the last 27 meetings. Of those 27 matches, 11 have gone the full five sets.

The Bears are 17-2 in 19 meetings with SEMO. Missouri State has won the last eight match-ups, including a 3-0 victory at home last season.