Nov. 5, 2014
Site: Koch Arena
Location: Wichita, Kan.
Live Video: GoShockers.com Missouri State (17-8, 10-3 Missouri Valley Conference) visits rival Wichita State (15-8, 9-4) this week for a key league meeting with significant postseason implications. The Bears sit a game ahead of the Shockers in the MVC standings with five matches to play, and the teams play identical schedules after Friday's match. Missouri State won a five-set thriller in Springfield in the season's first meeting.
The Opponent Wichita State is 15-8 overall and 9-4 in MVC play as the preseason conference favorite. The Shockers boast a balanced offensive attack with regulars averaging at least 2.04 kills per set. WSU hits .235 as a team compared to .221 for the opposition and averages 13.42 kills, 1.20 aces, 15.42 digs and 1.69 blocks per set.
The Series
Missouri State holds a 44-26 all-time series edge over Wichita State, though WSU has won 20 of the last 28 meetings. Of those 28 matches, 12 have gone the full five sets.
Last Week
The Bears split two matches in Iowa, losing 3-1 at UNI on Friday and winning 3-0 at Drake on Saturday. Friday,
Olivia Brand slammed a match-high 19 kills, including the 1,000th of her career, but the Bears lost the final two sets in the setback. Saturday, MSU hit .318 as a team and Brand fired another 15 kills in the sweep.
First Meeting This Season The Bears beat the Shockers in five sets on Oct. 10 in Springfield.
Lily Johnson posted 21 kills and 14 digs and
Kinsey McCarter dished out a career-high 58 assists as the Bears hit .258 in the match.
