MATCH 22: SBU (9-12, 2-3 MIAA) vs #7 WASHBURN (20-2, 4-2 MIAA)
MEYER SPORTS CENTER • BOLIVAR, MO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2009 • 7:00 PM
MATCH 23: SBU vs FORT HAYS STATE (5-14, 1-5 MIAA)
MEYER SPORTS CENTER • BOLIVAR, MO
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009 • 7:00 PM

SBU NOTES | WU NOTES | FHSU NOTES

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats (9-12, 2-3 MIAA) return home for two Homecoming weekend contests with the Washburn Lady Blues and Fort Hays State Tigers. The Bearcats went 2-2 last weekend at the Lady Blues Fall Classic, defeating Southwestern Oklahoma and Angelo State and falling in five sets to Southeastern Oklahoma and Tarleton State. The Bearcats rank fifth in the MIAA in blocks (1.86 per set). Ashley Jurgensmeyer ranks sixth in hitting percentage (.340) and is tied for seventh in blocks per set (0.88). Brianna Wallace is ninth in assists with an average of 9.07 per set.
 
THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Bearcat head coach Kelly Richardson is in her third season guiding the Bearcats. She's improved SBU's win total from eight her first year to 13 a year ago, and is on pace to raise the bar even higher this season.

Chris Herron is in his eighth season with the Lady Blues. Last year he led the Lady Blues to their second straight 30-win season and fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Washburn leads the all-time series 31 to 3.

Kurt Kohler is in his first season with the Tigers after coaching and serving as athletic director at Barton County Community College. SBU leads all-time four to two over the Tigers.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Washburn comes into Bolivar, after topping Missouri Southern on Tuesday and winning all four of their matches at their Lady Blues Fall Classic last weekend. Their two losses this season were back to back five sets losses to Nebraska-Omaha and Central Missouri. Breanna Lewis is third in the MIAA in hitting percentage (.398), Kelci Wigger is fifth in blocks (0.91) and Kate Hampson is fifth in assists (10.67).

Fort Hays State is led by Lilian Rezende, who is third in the MIAA in kills (3.83 p/s), fourth in aces (0.41 p/s) and second in points (4.46 p/s). The Tigers snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Newman on September 30 and play at Missouri Southern Friday.