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SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State volleyball topped Central Arkansas 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Hammons Student Center in its only exhibition match of the season.
 
All 18 Bears on the roster saw playing time, with 12 different players recording a kill in the 25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 29-27 victory.
 
"It was nice to get everybody some playing time, and everybody who went in did a nice job for us," said sixth-year head coach Steven McRoberts. "It's fun to see that we have a lot of depth at this point that can come in off the bench or start and contribute."
 
Rilynn Finley led the squad with 14 kills, Kya Johnson had 13 digs and freshman Chloe Judd had six blocks in an evenly matched contest that saw MoState rally from a 26-25 deficit in the fourth set to claim the win.
 
"We got put in some pressure situations and got to see how players reacted, and saw a lot of things that we can evaluate ahead of the season opener against Oklahoma," McRoberts added. "UCA is a well-coached and has a lot of great athletes, so it was a fun match to begin the season with."
 
The regular season begins for the Bears Aug. 29 and 30 at the Wildcat Classic hosted by Abilene Christian. MSU will play Oklahoma, ACU and Incarnate Word at the event.
 
After that, Missouri State will play five consecutive home matches, hosting the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational Sept. 4-6 and two matches with Purdue Fort Wayne Sept. 11 and 12.
 
The Conference USA schedule includes eight weekends of play with two-game series. MSU will make its league debut Sept. 26-27 at FIU and hosts Western Kentucky Oct. 3-4.