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Opponents:
Miami (Fla.) - Friday, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Oral Roberts - Saturday, Sept. 5, 1 p.m.
Marquette - Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Live Stats: | |
Live Video: ESPN3 | Miami | ORU | Marquette

Missouri State makes its home debut this week with three matches at Hammons Student Center during the annual Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational. MSU welcomes a pair of teams receiving top-25 votes this week in Marquette and Miami (Fla.), as well as Oral Roberts in a field that combined for an 11-1 record during the season's first week of play.
The Bears play Miami at 6:30 p.m. Friday, ORU at 1 p.m. Saturday, and Marquette at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
All three matches this weekend will be broadcast on ESPN3 as part of The Valley on ESPN3.
Additionally, Coach Stokes, now in her 20th season at MSU, will be recognized at Saturday evening's match for her career accomplishments leading the Bears.

The Opponents
Miami is 3-0 on the season and received 22 votes in this week's AVCA Top 25 poll after defeating Illinois State, Florida A&M and Kansas State. The Hurricanes have participated in six consecutive NCAA Tournaments, and are picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2015. Sophomore outside hitter Olga Strantzali and sophomore setter Haley Templeton represent UM on the preseason all-ACC team. As a team this season, Miami owns a .291 hitting percentage while limiting opponents to a .185 figure. The Hurricanes average 13.36 kills, 13.09 digs, 1.91 aces and 2.32 blocks per set.
Oral Roberts is 2-1 with a loss at Ole Miss and wins against Northwestern State and Tennessee State. Sophomore outside hitter Laura Milos averages 5.60 kills per set after ranking among the national leaders in kills last season. The Golden Eagles are picked to finish fourth in The Summit League this year. ORU hits .304 as a team with averages of 13.20 kills, 12.80 digs, 1.50 blocks and 1.50 aces per set.
Marquette is 3-0 with victories against North Dakota, Dayton, and No. 21 Iowa State. The Golden Eagles sit three spots outside the AVCA Top 25 this week, and are picked to finish second in the Big East this year after making four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Taylor Louis leads MU with 5.90 kills per set, and the Golden Eagles hit .282 as a team compared to .184 for opponents with averages of 15.40 kills, 17.50 digs, 0.90 aces and 2.45 blocks per set.

The Series
Missouri State is 1-0 against Miami, earning a sweep over the Hurricanes last season in Wisconsin in a match that represented the 400th career victory for Coach Stokes.
The Bears are 27-9 all-time versus Oral Roberts, including a 3-1 win at Hammons Student Center in 2014. MSU has won the last four meetings in the series.
Saturday will mark the first meeting between Missouri State and Marquette in volleyball.