Arizona Invitational awaits Beach Bears

SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State beach volleyball team (6-3) continues its season this week as the Beach Bears compete in the Arizona Invitational Friday and Saturday at Bear Down Beach in Tucson, Ariz.

"The players are really excited about this week's trip and competition," head coach Russ Friedland said. "It is the only out of region dual on the schedule this year and we will have some tough matchups with two of our opponents in the top-20. We will be tested in every dual and look forward to seeing how we fair against the competition. Every opportunity to travel and compete throughout this pandemic climate is a blessing. I am happy that our squad is healthy and we are ready for these final duals before the conference tournament in a few weeks."

The Schedule

Friday, April 2
10 a.m. – Colorado Mesa vs. Missouri State
3 p.m. – Pepperdine vs. Missouri State

Saturday, April 3
10 a.m. – Missouri State at Arizona
12 p.m. – UC Davis vs. Missouri State

Bear Challenge Recap

Missouri State went 2-2 in the Bear Challenge on March 24-26. MSU defeated Ottawa twice (5-0, 5-0) while falling to Louisiana Monroe (3-2) and Central Arkansas (3-2). Grace Cook and Chloe Tome tied a program record for the most consecutive wins in a single flight with seven before falling in their final match of the weekend to UCA. Chloe Filipski and Tylar Garrett were solid in their matches as the duo went 3-1 on the weekend.

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. While MSU concludes its season with the CCSA conference tournament in Huntsville, Ala.

The Opponents
Colorado Mesa is currently 3-6 on the season as the Mavericks are coming off a 5-0 shutout at No. 19 Long Beach State. Missouri State holds a 3-0 all-time series lead over the Mavs. In the last meeting back on March 17, 2018 the Bears were victorious, 4-1.

Pepperdine is 3-10 on the year but came in at No. 8 in the latest AVCA Poll on March 23. The Waves have been battle-tested facing six ranked teams thus far. In its latest contest Pepperdine defeated Concordia (Calif.), 5-0. Friday's dual will be the first meeting between the programs.

Arizona is ranked 13th and is 10-2 this season. The Wildcats defeated their in-state rival Arizona State 4-1 in their last dual back on March 28. Arizona leads the all-time series 3-0 over MSU. In the last matchup on March 20, The Wildcats blanked the Bears 5-0.

UC Davis owns a 3-10 record in 2021, having played arguably the toughest schedule in the nation having played seven ranked teams. The Aggies fell to Long Beach State 5-0 its last time out on March 27.

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
Next on the schedule is the CCSA conference championships April 23-24 in Huntsville, Ala.

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Arizona Invitational awaits Beach Bears

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Players Mentioned

Grace Cook

Chloe Filipski

Tylar Garrett

Chloe Tome

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