Missouri State (11-7, 2-2 Missouri Valley Conference) returns to Hammons Student Center for three matches this week, taking on Bradley on Friday, Loyola on Saturday, and Evansville on Monday. First serve for each contest is slated for 7 p.m.
   The Bears are coming off a pair of five-set road wins at UNI and Drake, and have gone the distance in each of their first four MVC contests, three of which came against the league's other 2015 NCAA Tournament representatives. In fact, the Bears have played 10 such teams in their 18 matches this season.
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The Opponents
Bradley is 6-9 overall and 1-3 in MVC play after sweeping Evansville on Saturday. The Braves are led by Erica Haslag, who ranks second in the league with 3.69 kills per set, and hit .199 as a team compared to .216 for opponents. The Braves average 12.37 kills, 0.84 aces, 15.65 digs and 1.77 blocks per set.
   Loyola is 8-9 overall and 3-1 in Valley play after winning its last three matches. Only one of LUC's nine losses occurred in three sets, as the Ramblers average 11.81 kills, 2.31 blocks, 1.11 aces and 12.61 digs per set with a .194 attack efficiency. Opponents hit .198 against Loyola on the season.
   Evansville is 4-14 overall and 0-5 in league matches entering weekend contests against Illinois State and Indiana State. The Purple Aces allow opponents to hit .244 while attacking at just a .141 clip themselves, and average 9.85 kills, 0.77 aces, 12.26 digs and 2.20 blocks per set.
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The Series
MSU holds a 51-8 series edge with Bradley and has won 30 of the last 31 meetings with the Braves, the loss coming in Peoria in 2008.
   Missouri State is 7-1 against Loyola, with LUC's only win in the series coming in Springfield last season.
   The Bears lead Evansville by a 42-3 margin, losing just twice since 1999.
