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Opponents:    
Wichita State, Friday, September 23, 7 p.m.
Southern Illinois, Monday, September 26, 7 p.m.
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Live Stats: MissouriStateBears.com
Live Video (ESPN3/WatchESPN): WSU | SIU

After posting a 9-5 record and a pair of top-15 victories during a challenging non-conference schedule, Missouri State opens Missouri Valley Conference play at home with matches against Wichita State (7-4) at 7 p.m. Friday and Southern Illinois (9-5) at 7 p.m. Monday.
    The Bears have already played seven teams that qualified for the 2015 NCAA Tournament, and open league action against the three other Valley schools that joined MSU in the Big Dance last year. By the end of September, the Bears will have played 10 of their 17 matches against 2015 NCAA clubs.
    It's also Alumni Weekend at Missouri State, with a tailgate scheduled for 11 a.m. at Hammons Student Center, followed by the Alumni vs. Alumni match at 2. MSU's two previous head volleyball coaches, Linda Dollar and Dr. Mary Jo Wynn, will serve as coaches for the two alumni squads.
    
The Opponents
Wichita State is 7-4 on the year with signature wins against No. 18 Creighton, Marquette and Colorado State. The Shockers boast a pair of preseason all-MVC players in middle blocker Abbie Lehman and setter Emily Hiebert, and hit .289 as a team compared to .210 for the opposition with averages of 14.00 kills, 1.15 aces, 1.82 blocks and 16.03 digs per set.
    Southern Illinois went 9-5 in non-conference play and hosts UNI and Drake to open its league slate this weekend. The Salukis qualified for the first NCAA Tournament in 2015, and hit .238 as a team this year with a .210 opponent attack efficiency. SIU averages 13.14 kills, 1.26 aces, 2.56 blocks and 13.34 digs per set.
    
The Series
Missouri State holds a 45-29 all-time series edge over Wichita State, though WSU has won 23 of the last 32 meetings. Of those 32 matches, 14 have gone the full five sets, including last season's MVC Tournament title match in Springfield
    The Bears lead SIU 52-18 in the all-time series, winning 21 of the last 25 meetings.