Missouri State (16-7, 7-2 Missouri Valley Conference) begins the second half of the MVC schedule Friday with a 7 p.m. match at league-leading Wichita State (15-5, 8-1). The Bears own a winning record at the midway point of the MVC slate for the 18th consecutive season, and carry a seven-match winning streak into Wichita.
   MSU is holding opponents to a .144 attack efficiency during its current win streak, while
Lily Johnson is averaging 5.19 kills per set on .284 hitting.
   The Shockers won a 3-2 decision in the season's first meeting between the schools on Sept. 23 in Springfield. Â
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The Opponent
Wichita State is 15-5 on the year and sits atop the MVC standings at 8-1. Jody Larson leads the Shockers with 3.34 kills and 3.30 digs per set, while preseason all-MVC middle blocker Abbie Lehman hits .410 and setter Emily Heibert directs the offense to a .299 attack efficiency. As a team, WSU holds the opposition to a .196 hitting percentage and averages 14.24 kills, 1.14 aces, 15.87 digs and 1.90 blocks per set.
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The Series
Missouri State holds a 45-30 all-time series edge over Wichita State, though WSU has won 24 of the last 33 meetings. Of those 33 matches, 15 have gone the full five sets.
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First Meeting This Season
Wichita State won 3-2 in Springfield on Sept. 23 in the MVC opener for both schools. The Shockers opened the match with a 26-24 win in the first set, and five players had at least 10 kills for WSU.
Simone House hit .458 with 13 kills for the Bears, but the Shockers had 12 kills without an error in a victorious fifth set.
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