By: Jeff Weseloh, Director of Athletics Media Relations
Game Notes | Live Stats (vs MSSU) | Live Stats (vs PSU/UCO) | Live Video (vs PSU/UCO)
Opponent:Â Missouri Southern
Time:Â Tuesday, November 1st; 7:00 PM
Location:Â Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium; Joplin, Missouri
Opponent:Â Pittsburg State
Time:Â Friday, November 4th; 7:00 PM
Location:Â Meyer Sports Center; Bolivar, Missouri
Opponent: #9 Central Oklahoma
Time:Â Saturday, November 5th; 2:00 PM
Location:Â Meyer Sports Center; Bolivar, Missouri
Bolivar, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats finish out the road portion of their schedule on Tuesday before returning home to close out the 2016 season with a four-game homestand.
The Coaches
Caira Dortch will begin her third season as the head coach at Southwest Baptist, and holds a career coaching record of 15-44 (8-32 MIAA). Prior to coming to SBU, Dortch previously coached at Drury and Evangel.
John Napier enters his 3rd season as the head coach at Missouri Southern. Napier holds a career coaching record of 10-49.
Jen Gomez enters her 1st season as the head coach at Pittsburg State. Gomez comes to PSU after spending the previous five seasons at Colorado State-Pueblo, and holds a career coaching record of 202-135 across 10 seasons.
Edgar Miraku enters his 5th season as the head coach at Central Oklahoma. Miraku holds a career coaching record of 96-38.
Scouting the Opponents
Missouri Southern enters the match against Southwest Baptist 4-22 (1-12 MIAA) and are coming off of a 3-0 loss to Fort Hays State. The Lions are led on the attack by Bailey Rexford who averages 2.07 kills/set. Setting duties are split between Bradyn Wall (6.78 assists/set) and Whitney Harrison (5.99 assists/set). Defensively Alicia Pickett averages 0.96 blocks/set and Kat Gries has a team high 3.15 digs/set.
Pittsburg State enters the week 5-20 (3-10 MIAA) and are coming off of a 3-1 loss to Central Missouri. The Gorillas are led by Maggie Highberger who averages a team high 2.63 kills/set, while Peyton Walker averages 2.31 kills/set. Setting duties belong to Carolina VanBuskirk (7.82 assists/set), while Ashlen Schwartz averages 3.85 digs/set.
Central Oklahoma enters the week 25-2 (11-1 MIAA) and are ranked #9 in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll. The Bronchos are led offensively by Taylor Bevis who has a team high 4.04 kills/set, while setter Katy Davis has collected 11.74 assists/set. Defensively Jordan Spence has 0.99 blocks/set while Dominique Lipari has a team high 4.70 digs/set.
Scouting the Bearcats
Southwest Baptist enters the week 3-24 (0-13 MIAA) on the season, and are coming off of a 3-0 loss to Fort Hays State. The Bearcats are led offensively by
Dana Neal who averages a team high 2.33 kills/set, and is third on the team with 2.58 digs/set. Setting duties are split between
Serena Mar (4.91 assists/set) and
Brea Freeman (3.36 assists/set), while
Bailey Baumann averages a team high 3.81 digs/set.