Missouri State (5-5) at Husker Invite
Dates and Times	Sept. 14, 10 a.m. vs. New Mexico (5-4) Sept. 14, 5 p.m. vs. Central Michigan (3-6) Sept. 15, 7 p.m. at #4 Nebraska (6-1)
Location	Lincoln, Neb.
Site	Devaney Center
Live Video	Nebraska match only on BTN2go ($)
Live Stats	All Matches
Missouri State	Match Notes | Volleyball Home Page
New Mexico	Volleyball Home Page
Central Michigan	Volleyball Home Page
Nebraska	Volleyball Home Page

Missouri State finishes its difficult non-conference schedule this weekend with a trip to the Husker Invite in Lincoln, Neb., where the Bears will take on New Mexico, Central Michigan, and defending national champion Nebraska.
    The Bears (5-5) have never played a defending national champion, and have played the eventual national champion once, a 3-0 loss to Southern Cal in 2003. Nebraska, ranked fourth in this week's AVCA poll, will be the highest ranked MSU opponent since the Bears lost at No. 4 Wisconsin by a 3-1 final in 2014.
    The Nebraska match also features programs ranked first (NU) and fourth (MSU) in NCAA volleyball history in total victories.
    Missouri State begins Missouri Valley Conference play against Illinois State at home on Sept. 21, and head coach Melissa Stokes is closing in on 500 career wins, entering the Husker Invite with 497 victories.

The Opponents
New Mexico is 5-4 this season and predicted to finish fifth in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos have already played four five-setters this season, and hit .207 as a team while averaging 12.35 kills, 13.32 digs, 2.03 blocks and 1.00 aces per set.
    Central Michigan is 3-6 after a five-set win over Indiana State on Saturday. The Chippewas are picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference West Division this season. CMU has allowed a .239 attack efficiency so far this year while hitting .169 as a offense and averaging 11.94 kills, 14.76 digs, 1.24 blocks and 1.15 aces per set.
    Nebraska is 6-1 overall and ranked fourth in this week's AVCA poll. The Cornhuskers have won six straight after a season-opening loss to Florida, and have played all their matches in the state of Nebraska. Two-time NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player Mikaela Foecke leads NU with 3.68 kills per set on .295 hitting, and the Huskers hit .254 as a team compared to .128 for opponents with averages of 12.8 kills, 14.88 digs, 2.24 blocks and 1.88 aces per set.    

Series Histories
MSU and New Mexico have split four previous meetings, the last a 3-1 UNM win in 1992 in Albuquerque.
    The Bears have never played Central Michigan in volleyball, but are 16-8 all-time against current Mid-American Conference schools, including a victory against Ball State on Sept. 1.
    Missouri State owns a 17-15 series lead over Nebraska, though the programs have not met since 1993. The Huskers have won the last nine meetings, with MSU's last win coming in 1981 in Denton, Texas.