Missouri State (6-5) begins Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend at Hammons Student Center as the Bears take on Indiana State (8-3) at 7 p.m. Friday and Illinois State (6-5) at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Picked to finish fourth in the league race this year, the Bears already own a pair of non-conference victories over teams that played in last season's NCAA Tournament, and have posted a winning MVC record in 15 consecutive seasons.

The Opponents

Indiana State holds the MVC's best non-conference record at 8-3 and is picked to finish ninth in the league this season. The Sycamores lead the MVC in attack efficiency at .230 as a team, and Cassandra Willis is the individual leader at .429. ISU averages 13.43 kills, 1.52 aces, 15.60 digs and 1.50 blocks per set.

Illinois State is 6-5 and is expected to finish third in the MVC this year. Preseason all-conference outside hitter Ashley Rosch averages 3.35 kills per set, and the Redbirds hit .210 as a team with averages of 12.37 kills, 1.48 aces, 15.65 digs and 2.32 blocks per set.

The Series

Missouri State leads the all-time series with Indiana State by a 55-1 margin, with the Bears' lone loss occurring in five sets in 1994. Since then, the Bears have reeled off 41 straight wins against the Sycamores.

Missouri State has squared off with Illinois State more than any other school, and holds a 47-43 series lead in 90 all-time meetings. Missouri State has been in control of the series lately, winning 23 of the last 31 overall.