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Opponent: #18 Washburn
Time: Friday, September 30th; 7:00 PM
Location: Gross Memorial Coliseum; Topeka, Kansas

Opponent: Emporia State
Time: Saturday, October 1st; 7:00 PM
Location: White Auditorium; Emporia, Kansas

Bolivar, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats will hit the road this weekend for a pair of MIAA games at Washburn and Emporia State before returning home the following week.

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 soming to SBU, Dortch previously coached at Drury and Evangel.

Chris Herron enters his 15th season as the head volleyball coach at Washburn. Herron has led the Ichabods to 12 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, and holds a career coaching record of 500-107 including a 425-78 mark at Washburn.

Bing Xu enters his 12th season as the head volleyball coach at Emporia State. Xu holds a career coaching record of 237-116, all at ESU, including a 123-70 record in the MIAA.

Scouting the Opponents
Washburn enters the weekend 11-4 (2-1 MIAA), and are currently ranked #18 in latest AVCA Division II Coaches Poll. The Ichabods are coming off of a 3-1 victory over Fort Hays State after falling to Nebraska-Kearney 3-0 in the lone MIAA loss on the season. The WU attack is led by Leanna Willer who averages 3.13 kills/set and Sarah Vicory who averages 2.96 kills/set. Natalie Bates handles a majority of the setting duties, averaging 7.59 assists/set, while Alyssa Carney averages a team high 5.31 digs/set.

Emporia State enters the weekend 7-8 (0-3 MIAA) on the season and are currently riding a five-game losing streak. The Lady Hornets are led offensively by Josie Williams who averages a team high 2.87 kills/set and is also second on the team in digs at 2.93 digs/set. Setting duties are split between Kimberly Bell (4.41 assists/set) and Emma Dixon (4.05 assists/set) while Allie Maloney has a team high 4.46 digs/set.

Scouting the Bearcats
Southwest Baptist enters the week 3-12 (0-2 MIAA) on the season, and are coming off of a 3-1 loss to Missouri Western. The Bearcats are led offensively by Dana Neal who averages a team high 2.64 kills/set, and is third on the team with 2.55 digs/set. Setting duties are split between Serena Mar (4.30 assists/set) and Brea Freeman (3.36 assists/set), while Bailey Baumann averages a team high 4.09 digs/set.