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Tournament Schedule/Results:
Thursday, Sept. 8
Missouri State vs. McNeese State, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9
Green Bay vs. Western Illinois, 10 a.m.
IUPUI vs. #12 Ohio State, 12 p.m.
Western Illinois vs. McNeese State, 3 p.m.
Green Bay vs. IUPUI, 5 p.m.
Missouri State vs. #12 Ohio State, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Green Bay vs. McNeese State, 10 a.m.
Missouri State vs. Western Illinois, 12 p.m.
IUPUI vs. McNeese State, 2 p.m.
Green Bay vs. #12 Ohio State, 5 p.m.
Missouri State vs. IUPUI, 7 p.m.

Location: Springfield, Mo.
Site: Hammons Student Center
Live Stats: MissouriStateBears.com
Live Video (MSU matches only): McNeese | Ohio State | Western Illinois | IUPUI

The Missouri State volleyball team (3-3) makes its home debut this weekend with the annual Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, Sept. 8-10 at Hammons Student Center. The Bears will take on McNeese State at 7 p.m. Thursday, 12th-ranked Ohio State at 7 p.m. Friday, and Western Illinois and IUPUI on Saturday at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. Green Bay will also play in the 11-match tournament, though the Bears and Phoenix will not meet.
    MSU's next victory will likely make the Bears the third program in NCAA Division I history with 1,200 wins, joining UCLA and Nebraska on that list. Additionally, Ohio State will be the fourth top-15 opponent Missouri State has played this season.
    
The Opponents
McNeese State is 2-6 on the season with victories against Grambling State and Louisiana. Under the direction of former Drury head coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald, the Cowgirls are picked to finish sixth and seventh in the two preseason Southland Conference polls. As a team, McNeese hits .167 compared to .248 for opponents, and averages 11.03 kills, 0.97 aces, 13.74 digs and 0.97 blocks per set.
    Ohio State (5-1) is ranked 12th this week in the AVCA Coaches Poll, with its only loss coming to No. 10 BYU. Three Buckeyes average at least 2.64 kills per set, and the team hits .263 against .184 for the opposition. OSU averages 13.91 kills, 1.59 aces, 13.05 digs and 2.00 blocks per set.
    Western Illinois is led by head coach and former Bear Kelly (Hartley) Richardson, a Springfield native who played for Coach Stokes during the 2000 season at MSU. The Leathernecks are 0-7 this season, and hit .060 as a team while letting opponents attack at a .220 efficiency. WIU averages 9.15 kills, 0.67 aces, 14.15 digs and 1.74 blocks per set.
    IUPUI is 2-5 on the season with wins against Ball State and Central Michigan. The Jaguars are expected to finish third in the Summit League this season, with junior Kori Waelbroeck being a preseason all-conference pick. The Jags hit .184 as a team compared to .259 for opponents and average 12.00 kills, 1.25 aces, 14.12 digs and 1.96 blocks per set.
    
The Series
Missouri State has never met McNeese State in volleyball.
    The Bears are 3-2 against Ohio State, though the teams have not played since 1991. 
    MSU is 17-3 versus Western Illinois, with the last meeting in 2004. The Bears and Leathernecks were both Gateway Conference members from 1983-91.
    Missouri State and IUPUI have played once, an MSU sweep in Indianapolis in 2001.