Missouri State (7-6, 1-1 Missouri Valley Conference) makes its first road trip of the conference season this week to face Loyola (5-6, 1-1) and Bradley (0-12, 0-2). The Bears take on the Ramblers on the shores of Lake Michigan at 7 p.m. Friday before playing Bradley on Sunday afternoon at 2 in Peoria.

The Opponents

Loyola is 5-6 on the season and 1-1 in MVC matches after losing at UNI and defeating Drake. Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Reardon leads the MVC in kills (4.12/set) and points (4.71/set). The Ramblers hit .169 as a team and allow opponents to hit .202 while averaging 12.21 kills, 1.36 aces, 13.98 digs and 2.10 blocks per set.

Bradley is 0-12 on the year and opened league play with 3-1 losses at Drake and UNI. In fact, the Braves have only been swept twice this season and hit .114 on the year compared to .217 for the opposition. As a team, BU averages 10.96 kills, 0.75 aces, 14.15 digs and 1.69 blocks per set.

The Series

Missouri State is 3-0 against Loyola, sweeping the two match-ups last season to go with a victory in Chicago in 1987.

MSU holds a 47-8 series edge with Bradley and has won 26 of the last 27 meetings with the Braves, the loss coming in Peoria in 2008.