First-Place Bears Ready for Trip to Illinois State

Missouri State (12-3, 8-2) at Illinois State (7-5, 5-3)
Dates and Times	Sunday, March 14, 4 p.m. Monday, March 15, 4 p.m.
Location	Normal, Ill.
Site	Redbird Arena
ESPN+	Sunday \| Monday
Live Stats	Sunday \| Monday
Missouri State	Match Notes \| Volleyball Home Page
Illinois State	Volleyball Home Page

Storylines for the Illinois State Series
1) Missouri State (12-3, 8-2 Missouri Valley Conference) remains atop the Valley standings with six matches to play, and heads to third-place Illinois State for matches on March 14 and 15, both at 4 p.m. at 1 p.m.

2) MSU started 9-1 overall to join the 2000 and 1993 clubs as the only three in MSU's Division I era (since 1982) to win nine of their first 10 matches.

3) The Bears average 1.74 aces per set, on pace for the best figure since 1990 and well ahead of the 2003 club's 1.47 average that ranks as the best in the rally scoring era. Missouri State has six matches with 10-plus aces already this year, the most since the 1990 team also did that six times.

4) MSU has served 41 more aces than the opposition with 54 fewer service errors, resulting in a 95-point difference. The Bears have served more aces than the opposition in 11 of 15 matches, and more aces than errors 12 times.

5) Missouri State has locked up an overall winning record for the 21st time in the last 22 seasons.

6) Underclassmen have accounted for 70 percent of MSU's point total this season, and all but one of the Bears' 1,015 points this year have been scored by non-seniors.

7) Missouri State head coach Steven McRoberts enters the weekend with 599 career victories, one away from becoming the 19th active Division I coach in the 600-club.

8) Illinois State head coach Leah Johnson was a defensive specialist for the Bears from 2000-03, and is 3-3 against Missouri State while coaching the Redbirds.

The Opponent
Illinois State is 7-5 overall and 5-3 in MVC play, and has not played since Feb. 22. The Redbirds are picked to finish second in the league this year and received four first-place votes with Stef Jankiewicz, Kaylee Martin and Sydney Holt all earning preseason all-Valley honors. The Redbirds hit .175 as a team and allow a .161 efficiency to the opposition with per set averages of 13.11 kills, 1.76 aces, 18.83 digs and 2.47 blocks per set.

Series History
Missouri State has squared off with Illinois State more than any other school, and holds a 54-50 series lead in 104 all-time meetings. The Bears are 29-17 against ISU since 2001.

First-Place Bears Ready for Trip to Illinois State

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