SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State will open its 10-match spring exhibition volleyball schedule at home on April 2 at Hammons Student Center. MSU's home tournament begins at 11 a.m. that day and is open to the public. The Bears will play four matches as they welcome Arkansas, Oral Roberts and SIU Edwardsville, which is led by former MSU player and assistant coach Leah Johnson.

The Bears travel to Kansas City on April 9 for matches against Kansas State, Arkansas, Omaha and Rockhurst, and also play single matches at Ole Miss (April 16) and Arkansas (April 21).

Missouri State returns 12 players from last year's club that finished 24-11 overall and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in 13 seasons. Much of the team's 2015 statistical production is back as well, including 91 percent of total kills, 79 percent of the team's aces, 70 percent of the dig production and 80 percent of the blocking.

The 2016 Bears feature a trio of all-Missouri Valley Conference performers from last season in junior Lily Johnson, senior Simone House and sophomore Emily Butters, as well as a deep and talented supporting cast.

Johnson is the reigning MVC Player of the Year and a two-time All-American after ranking third nationally with 620 kills last season. House averaged 0.96 blocks per set in her first three seasons and enters her senior year ranked fourth in school history with a .305 career attack efficiency. Butters set MSU's freshman record with 568 digs last season.

Additionally, the Bears return senior Tatum Marshall (697 career digs) and juniors Lynsey Wright (596 career kills and .284 hitting percentage), Brianne Dixon (10-plus digs in four of last nine matches in 2015), and Lauren Boone (.238 career hitting percentage in 52 matches).

MSU's sophomore class includes Caroline Finnell, MacKenzie Irwin, Mikaela Mosquera, Ashley Ophoven and Cambree Villarreal. Ophoven's 278 kills in 2015 were the 10th-highest total by a freshman in school history.

Joining the Bears as freshmen for the fall season are Aubrey Cheffey (OH, Nixa, Mo.), Laynie Dake (MB, Mt. Vernon, Mo.), Julia Hanson (OH/DS, Fort Atkinson, Wis.), Gerri Idos (DS, Springfield, Mo.), Daniele Messa (S, Bartlett, Ill.), and Paige Perry (OH/DS, Ozark, Mo.).

MSU Tournament (Springfield) (All matches two sets)
April 2 vs. Oral Roberts, 11 a.m.
April 2 vs. Arkansas, 12 p.m.
April 2 vs. SIUE, 2 p.m.
April 2 vs. TBD, 3 p.m.

Kansas State Tournament (Kansas City, Mo.) (All matches two sets)
April 9 vs. Kansas State, 11 a.m.
April 9 vs. Arkansas, 12:30 p.m.
April 9 vs. Omaha, 1:30 p.m.
April 9 vs. Rockhurst, 2:30 p.m.

April 16 at Ole Miss, 12 p.m. (five sets)
April 21 at Arkansas, 6:30 p.m. (five sets)