View Complete Release as a PDF

Opponents:
UMKC, Friday, Sept. 18, 4 p.m.
South Dakota State, Saturday, Sept. 19, 12 p.m.
#17 Kansas, Saturday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.
Location: Lawrence, Kan.
Site: Horejsi Center
Live Stats: www.KUAthletics.com
Live Video: ESPN3 (KU match only)

Missouri State (7-3) concludes the non-onference portion of its schedule this weekend at the Jayhawk Classic in Lawrence, Kan. The Bears open play against UMKC (6-3) at 4 p.m. Friday, and take on South Dakota State (1-11) at noon on Saturday before facing 17th-ranked Kansas (9-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The KU match can be seen on ESPN3.

The Opponents
UMKC is 6-3 on the season with its losses coming against Arkansas State, Duke and Kansas. The Kangaroos, who went 24-6 last season, have two players averaging at least 3.13 kills per set, while libero Taryn Miller averages 5.48 digs per set. As a team, UMKC limits opponents to a .156 hitting percentage while boasting a .213 team attack efficiency with averages of 12.84 kills, 17.87 digs, 2.84 blocks and 1.16 aces per set.
South Dakota State is 1-11 with a victory over Columbia. The Jackrabbits hit .095 as a team while opponents attack at a .298 clip, and average 8.27 kills, 13.00 digs, 1.29 blocks and 0.83 aces per set.
Kansas is ranked 17th in this week's AVCA poll and is one of 10 unbeaten teams remaining with a 9-0 record. KU has been extended to four sets only twice this year, and leads the nation with 15.14 kills per set. Kelsie Payne and Tiana Dockery each average better than 3.5 kills per set, as the Jayhawks hit .310 as a team against .137 for opponents with averages of 15.34 digs, 2.16 blocks and 1.79 aces per set.

The Series
Missouri State is 20-0-1 all-time against UMKC, though the teams have not played since 2007. The tie in the series occurred in 1976.
The Bears are unbeaten in three meetings with South Dakota State, earning home wins in 2007 and 2011, and a road victory in 2008, all by 3-0 scores.
MSU holds a 28-6-1 series lead against Kansas. The schools have met just one time since 1994, a 3-1 KU victory in 2007 in East Lansing, Mich.