MATCH 5: SBU BEARCATS (5-3)
at #8 CENTRAL MISSOURI JENNIES (6-2)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 • 7:00 PM
UCM MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING • WARRENSBURG, MO
M6: vs NEBRASKA-OMAHA MAVERICKS (7-1)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 • 4:00 PM
MEYER SPORTS CENTER • BOLIVAR, MO
LIVE STATS: via Sidearm

GAME NOTES

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- After picking up three wins at the Tarleton State TexAnn Invitational, the SBU Bearcats prepare for MIAA action, as they travel to Warrensburg to face the Central Missouri Jennies in the conference opener. This weekend, the 'Cats will take on the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks in their home opener.

Junior Ashley Jurgensmeyer continues to lead the Bearcats, with an average of 3.73 kills per set, the most in the MIAA. Her .391 hitting percentage ranks third-best in the league.

Setter Brianna Wallace has a chance by season's end to surpass Chelsea Kenney's school record of 3,906 assists. Wallace currently has 322 assists on the season (9.76/game), and 3,175 over her career, just 731 behind Kenney.

Defensively, the SBU has three players averaging more than 2.5 digs each set, led by senior Marcy Greenwade (3.42 digs/set), followed up by newcomers Alyx Glover (2.64) and Britni Reed (2.61)

THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Bearcat head coach Kelly Richardson enters her fourth season, and looks to further improve a program that has won more games over the past two seasons than from 2002-2007 combined. Over her first three years, Richardson has seen six players earn All-MIAA honors, and has recorded a career mark of 38-71.

Currently, the Bearcats' 5-3 mark is tied for the best start by SBU during the Richardson era.
Phil Piontek is currently in his 25th season on the Jennies bench, and his second as head coach. In his first season at the helm of the Central Missouri program, Piontek led UCM to their first MIAA title since 1999, and hosted the NCAA South Central Regional.

Starting her 21st season with the Mavericks, Rose Shires as earned a career record of 407-229 (.640) while in Omaha, making her the school's all-time winningest coach. During Shires' tenure, the Mavericks won the 1996 national championship.

The Bearcats have recorded just one win between both Central Missouri and Nebraska-Omaha. SBU is 1-45 against the Jennies, dating back to 1986. Against the Mavericks, the 'Cats are 0-4.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
The Jennies have posted a 6-2 record thus far, winning their last four matches at the Peggy Martin Challenge in Warrensburg. Central Missouri defeated Pittsburg State at the tournament, giving them an early 1-0 lead on the rest of the league. Leading the way for the Jennies is Abby Gruenbacker, who is averaging 2.69 kills and 0.88 blocks per set. Freshman Julia Bates currently leads the MIAA in assists, with 10.27 each set. Senior Rachel Fister has recorded 4.77 digs per game, good for second-most in the conference.

The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks sit at 7-1, and ride a six game winning streak after winning all four matches at the Angelo State Volleyball Tournament. Junior Lizzy Mach leads the Maverick offense, with 99 kills this season (3.09/set, 5th in MIAA), and a .433 hitting percentage (2nd in MIAA). Fellow junior Emily Myers ranks second in the league in assists, with 10.06 per game.