SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State beach volleyball team (4-1) continues its season this week as the Beach Bears host the Bear Challenge Wednesday-Friday at the Allison Sand Volleyball Courts. 
 

Bear Challenge
Dates	Wednesday March 24- Friday March 26
Location	Springfield, Mo. | Allison Sand Courts
Fan Information	Spectators are not allowed inside the fence due to Covid-19 policies.
Follow Along	Watch

 

"We are excited to play on our home sand this weekend," head coach Russ Friedland said. "With the impending weather on Thursday we had to make some last-minute changes to the schedule and now we will be competing Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We are hoping to build off our strong start thus far. The team is eager to get a shot another shot at ULM after a close first matchup in Monroe. This is our final homestand of the year, so we hope to defend our sand and enjoy another opportunity to get better and compete." 

The Schedule 

Wednesday, March 24 

5 p.m. – ULM vs. Missouri State
7:30 p.m. – ULM vs. Ottawa 

Thursday, March 25 

9:30 a.m. – Missouri State vs. Ottawa 

Friday, March 26 

11 a.m. – Missouri State vs. Ottawa
2 p.m. – Ottawa vs. Central Arkansas
5 p.m. – Central Arkansas vs. Missouri State 

Fan Information
Spectators are not allowed within the fence surrounding the courts due to Covid-19 policies.

Season Opener Recap 

Missouri State had a successful weekend as they took two out of three at the ULM Invitational March 11-12. MSU lost its first match 4-1 to ULM before rebounding with wins over Houston Baptist (3-2) and New Orleans (4-1). Grace Cook and Chloe Tome highlighted the Bears efforts as they went a perfect 3-0 while competing in the No. 2 spot. 

Bears on The Beach 

MSU has 10 scheduled matches this year, with five of them at home. The schedule features two road trips as the Bears will visit Monroe, La., to compete in the ULM Invitational and Tucson, Ariz., for the Arizona Invitational.  

The Opponents 

ULM is currently 9-10 on the young season as the Warhawks are coming off a 5-0 loss at No. 10 TCU. The Warhawks handed Missouri State its only loss of the season, a 4-1 setback on March 11. ULM has made great strides this season after finishing 1-22 just one year ago. 

Central Arkansas is 9-8 on the year, with a win over ULM (3-2) back on March 12. The Bears are coming off a 3-2 letdown against Springhill College last weekend. The MSU Bears and UCA Bears will be meeting for the first time ever on Friday. 

Ottawa is 0-6 this season and has lost 36 out of its last 40 dating back to 2018. The Braves last time out was the doubleheader against MSU on March 3 which they lost both duals by the score of 4-1.

Bears in the CCSA 

Missouri State officially joined the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association on Dec. 13, 2019. The Bears will vie for a title in the 14-team league at the CCSA Tournament on April 23 and 24. 

Up Next 

MSU travels to Tucson, Ariz., April 2-3 to compete in the Arizona Invitational hosted by the Arizona Wildcats. Joining the Bears and hosts in the tournament field will be Colorado Mesa and Pepperdine. 

 #BearsUnite