Bears Beach Volleyball Unveils 2025 Schedule
December 12, 2024 | Beach Volleyball
SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State beach volleyball head coach Ashley Emery announced the team's 2025 season schedule Thursday afternoon. The 2025 Beach Bears will appear in seven regular season tournaments and host three home events from February to April. Postseason play will begin with Missouri State's second appearance in the Conference USA Tournament.
"Last season was truly one for the books," Emery said. "I'll always remember the camaraderie, the fight and the incredible effort the team put forth throughout the Conference USA Tournament. We've shown remarkable growth in a short period of time and we're determined to continue that momentum moving forward."
Coming off a record 26-7 season with a perfect 14-0 home record in 2024, Missouri State will open its eighth season as a program by hosting two tournaments at Volleyball Beach Ozark in Ozark, Missouri. The Bears will start with the two-day Missouri State Tournament on Feb. 21-22 with matchups on the first day against Southwest Baptist (9:00 a.m.) and McKendree (2:00 p.m.). The second day of the tournament will see the Bears take on Park University (10:00 a.m.) and Lindenwood (1:00 p.m.).
"Heading into this spring, I am super excited to compete with this team," junior team captain Amanda Cleary said. "We have put in the work this fall to elevate our game and with the guidance of Coach Emery, we have all been pushed to the next level."
The second tournament in Ozark, the Beach Bear Bash, will take place the following week on Feb. 28 and March 1 with rematches on the first day against SBU (9:00 a.m.) and Lindenwood (3:00 p.m.). Missouri State will welcome Hendrix College (8:00 a.m.) and Central Arkansas (2:00 p.m.) on the second day. This marks the third consecutive year that Missouri State will begin its season at the beach volleyball facility in Ozark.
"Looking ahead to our spring schedule, we're excited to host teams during those first weekends to provide a convenient site for teams from the Midwest to compete," Emery said. "This spring, we've created a schedule that balances both familiar opponents and new challenges, giving us a strong opportunity to assess where we stand heading into Conference USA play in April."
The Bears will travel to Florence, Alabama for their first road tournament of the season at the North Alabama Invitational on March 14-15. Missouri State will face host team North Alabama, UT-Chattanooga, Austin Peay State and Tusculum. The Bears last played in Florence to begin the 2022 season at the Shoals Beach Bash.
The familiarity in March continues when Missouri State continues its southwest tour to compete in the Battle on the Bay for the fourth straight year. The tournament on March 28-29 will put the Bears up against host Eckerd College, Tampa, South Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic. The Bears will face off against the South Florida Bulls for the first time. Missouri State finished 2-2 at the Battle on the Bay last season, including a 4-1 win over Eckerd.
"Coming off of our success from last season and the fall season, we have really gained confidence that we can compete with whoever we face," Cleary said. "I am so honored to put that jersey on again and to represent Missouri State beach volleyball alongside such an amazing group of women and the best coaching staff we could ask for."
Missouri State will return home for its senior day tournament on April 5 against SBU and Park at the Betty & Bobby Allison Sand Volleyball courts.Â
The ramp-up to the postseason begins the following weekend on April 11-12 with a trip to the Blazer Beach Bash hosted by Alabama-Birmingham. This will mark the first time the Bears will participate in a tournament hosted by a CUSA team while a member of the conference. Missouri State will face UAB, Tennessee Tech, Southeastern Louisiana and rematch UT-Chattanooga.
The final regular season tournament for the Bears will be the Fight In The Fort in Fort Worth, Texas on April 18-19. Missouri State will take on host Texas Christian, Grand Canyon, Louisiana-Monroe and Houston Christian. MoState defeated ULM in both matchups last year, 3-2.
The Bears will participate in the CUSA Tournament which runs from April 24-26 at Sugar Beach in Youngsville, Louisiana. Missouri State went 2-2 in the tournament last season, sporting wins against Jacksonville State and UTEP.
"This group of players has worked tirelessly to build on what we accomplished last season and I am honored to be by their side again as we continue to grow and push forward."
The NCAA Tournament will be held from May 2-4 in Huntington Beach, California.
Details regarding start times will be provided at a later date.
Â
"Last season was truly one for the books," Emery said. "I'll always remember the camaraderie, the fight and the incredible effort the team put forth throughout the Conference USA Tournament. We've shown remarkable growth in a short period of time and we're determined to continue that momentum moving forward."
Coming off a record 26-7 season with a perfect 14-0 home record in 2024, Missouri State will open its eighth season as a program by hosting two tournaments at Volleyball Beach Ozark in Ozark, Missouri. The Bears will start with the two-day Missouri State Tournament on Feb. 21-22 with matchups on the first day against Southwest Baptist (9:00 a.m.) and McKendree (2:00 p.m.). The second day of the tournament will see the Bears take on Park University (10:00 a.m.) and Lindenwood (1:00 p.m.).
"Heading into this spring, I am super excited to compete with this team," junior team captain Amanda Cleary said. "We have put in the work this fall to elevate our game and with the guidance of Coach Emery, we have all been pushed to the next level."
The second tournament in Ozark, the Beach Bear Bash, will take place the following week on Feb. 28 and March 1 with rematches on the first day against SBU (9:00 a.m.) and Lindenwood (3:00 p.m.). Missouri State will welcome Hendrix College (8:00 a.m.) and Central Arkansas (2:00 p.m.) on the second day. This marks the third consecutive year that Missouri State will begin its season at the beach volleyball facility in Ozark.
"Looking ahead to our spring schedule, we're excited to host teams during those first weekends to provide a convenient site for teams from the Midwest to compete," Emery said. "This spring, we've created a schedule that balances both familiar opponents and new challenges, giving us a strong opportunity to assess where we stand heading into Conference USA play in April."
The Bears will travel to Florence, Alabama for their first road tournament of the season at the North Alabama Invitational on March 14-15. Missouri State will face host team North Alabama, UT-Chattanooga, Austin Peay State and Tusculum. The Bears last played in Florence to begin the 2022 season at the Shoals Beach Bash.
The familiarity in March continues when Missouri State continues its southwest tour to compete in the Battle on the Bay for the fourth straight year. The tournament on March 28-29 will put the Bears up against host Eckerd College, Tampa, South Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic. The Bears will face off against the South Florida Bulls for the first time. Missouri State finished 2-2 at the Battle on the Bay last season, including a 4-1 win over Eckerd.
"Coming off of our success from last season and the fall season, we have really gained confidence that we can compete with whoever we face," Cleary said. "I am so honored to put that jersey on again and to represent Missouri State beach volleyball alongside such an amazing group of women and the best coaching staff we could ask for."
Missouri State will return home for its senior day tournament on April 5 against SBU and Park at the Betty & Bobby Allison Sand Volleyball courts.Â
The ramp-up to the postseason begins the following weekend on April 11-12 with a trip to the Blazer Beach Bash hosted by Alabama-Birmingham. This will mark the first time the Bears will participate in a tournament hosted by a CUSA team while a member of the conference. Missouri State will face UAB, Tennessee Tech, Southeastern Louisiana and rematch UT-Chattanooga.
The final regular season tournament for the Bears will be the Fight In The Fort in Fort Worth, Texas on April 18-19. Missouri State will take on host Texas Christian, Grand Canyon, Louisiana-Monroe and Houston Christian. MoState defeated ULM in both matchups last year, 3-2.
The Bears will participate in the CUSA Tournament which runs from April 24-26 at Sugar Beach in Youngsville, Louisiana. Missouri State went 2-2 in the tournament last season, sporting wins against Jacksonville State and UTEP.
"This group of players has worked tirelessly to build on what we accomplished last season and I am honored to be by their side again as we continue to grow and push forward."
The NCAA Tournament will be held from May 2-4 in Huntington Beach, California.
Details regarding start times will be provided at a later date.
Â
#BearsUnite
Players Mentioned
/ Beach Volleyball
Monday, June 22
Wednesday, June 17
Wednesday, June 17
Wednesday, June 17
