Week 5 Storylines
1) Missouri State (3-11) begins its 28th Missouri Valley Conference season this weekend at Illinois State and Bradley. The Bears own a .724 all-time winning percentage in MVC action, finishing each of the last 20 seasons above .500, and placing in the top half of the standings 24 times in 27 years.
2) Missouri State begins the conference slate against the league's five schools that played in either the NCAA Tournament or NIVC last year, facing Illinois State, Bradley, UNI, Drake and Valpo out of the gate.
3) MSU's sophomore class leads the Bears in most statistical categories this season, ranking 1-2-3 in kill average (
Amelia Flynn,
Sarabi Worsley-Gilbert,
Chloe Rear), 1-3 in total kills (Rear, Worsley-Gilbert), 1-2 in digs (
Leah Vokolek, Rear), and 1-2 in aces (Rear, Vokolek). Meanwhile, freshmen lead the Bears in total assists and total blocks.
MVC Success
4) For the first time since 1996, Missouri State has a new coach. Manolo Concepción will serve as interim head coach for the 2019 season after Melissa Stokes resigned after 23 years in August.
The Opponents
Illinois State is 7-5 overall and owns a victory over 14th-ranked Illinois. The Redbirds are picked to finish second in the MVC this season after sharing the league title a year ago, and hit .209 as a team compared to .181 for the opposition with averages of 12.98 kills, 14.71 digs, 2.27 blocks and 1.59 aces per set.
   Bradley went 4-7 in non-conference play and is picked to finish third in the Valley this year. The Braves own a .186 attack efficiency, allow opponents to hit .213, and average 12.61 kills, 19.15 digs, 1.29 aces and 2.02 blocks per set.
Series Histories
Missouri State has squared off with Illinois State more than any other school, and holds a 53-49 series lead in 102 all-time meetings. The Bears are 29-15 against ISU since 2001. Â Â Â
   The Bears hold a 55-10 series edge with Bradley, and won 18 in a row in the series before BU's season sweep last year.
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