Volleyball Bears Impress in 2-2 Exhibition Draw with No. 19 Arkansas

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State and preseason 19th-ranked Arkansas each won two sets Thursday in a pre-determined four set exhibition match at Hammons Student Center in front of a crowd estimated around 1,000 fans. The Razorbacks won 25-20 in each of the first two periods, while the Bears grabbed wins of 27-25 and 25-18 in sets three and four.

“I thought we played a great all-around match tonight,” said head coach Steven McRoberts. “The crowd was tremendous, and I hope they all come back and support us on Sept. 4 in our home opener against Tulsa.”

The teams were nearly even statistically, with the Bears hitting 269 as a team with 61 kills, 68 digs and 12 blocks.

Freshman Rilynn Finley led all players with 18 kills on .452 hitting and Maddy Bushnell added 12 kills for MoState. Brooke Eslinger’s 19 digs led four players in double figures, and Neele’ge’ Sims totaled seven blocks for the Bears, who used 14 players in a variety of lineups throughout the night.

Missouri State hosts an alumni match on Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. before the regular season begins Aug. 30 and 31 at the Spartan Classic hosted by UNC Greensboro. MSU will play South Carolina Upstate, UNCG and Robert Morris on the opening weekend.

The home opener is set for Sept. 4 against Tulsa, with the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational on Sept. 12-14 and nine home MVC matches to follow, all between Oct. 4 and Nov. 20.

Single-match tickets can be purchased online here. Season tickets are available by calling Duane Miller at 417-836-8899 or emailing DuaneMiller@MissouriState.edu.