Missouri State closes the regular season at home this week when the Bears host Valparaiso at 7 p.m. Friday and Loyola at 7 p.m. Saturday at Hammons Student Center.
   Much remains to be decided regarding seeds for the MVC Tournament held Nov. 22-24 at Hammons, and the Bears can secure the fourth spot with a victory against Valpo on Friday. MSU and Valpo are already in the field, while Loyola is in a battle with Drake for the final spot.
   Saturday is Senior Night, and Missouri State will honor
Emily Butters,
MacKenzie Irwin,
Ashley Ophoven and
Cambree Villarreal at the match.
   Also on Saturday, Missouri State is offering free admission to fans who show a ticket stub from the women's basketball game earlier that afternoon at JQH Arena.
The Opponents
Valparaiso is 22-9 overall and 9-7 in league play. The veteran Crusaders have four players averaging at least 2.03 kills per set, and hit .212 as a team with a stingy defense that allows a .168 efficiency. As a team, VU averages 13.29 kills, 1.04 aces, 18.09 digs and 2.14 blocks per set.
   Loyola is 15-13 and 7-9 in league play under first-year head coach Amanda Berkley. Five Ramblers average at least 2.03 kills per set for a balanced offense that hits .225. Loyola's defense allows a .207 efficiency, and LUC averages 12.77 kills, 15.28 digs, 2.37 blocks and 1.29 aces per set.
Series Histories
The Bears are 5-0 all-time against Valparaiso, including 3-0 since the Crusaders joined the MVC.
   Missouri State is 11-2 against Loyola, with LUC's wins coming in Springfield in 2015 and Chicago earlier this season.
First Meetings This Season
Missouri State won 3-1 at Valpo on Oct. 29, hitting .247 and limiting the Crusaders to a .086 efficiency.
Cambree Villarreal,
Amelia Flynn and
Aubrey Cheffey all posted at least 11 kills.
   The Bears lost 3-0 at Loyola on Sept. 24, the school's first MVC road loss in 35 months.
Laynie Dake and
MacKenzie Irwin combined for 18 kills on .317 hitting.
