FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Volleyball will take a break from league play this week but not MIAA competition, as the Lions travel to Missouri Southern for the MIAA In-Season Tournament.
UAFS will play at Missouri Southern tonight at 6 p.m. and then Central Oklahoma at 6 p.m. Thursday in a neutral site match in Joplin, Missouri. Both matches will count as nonconference matches.
The matches will be streamed on the MIAA Network with live stats available at uafortsmithlions.com.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: UAFS went 1-2 last week, defeating UA-Monticello in nonconference action before falling to Pittsburg State and Emporia State at the Stubblefield Center.
3: 18 of the Lions' 22 matches have gone just three sets this season, including each of the last 12.
AT THE NET: UAFS is the least blocked team in the MIAA at just 1.37 blocks per set by opponents.
RANKED FOE: Thursday's matchup against Central Oklahoma will be the fifth time the Lions have faced a ranked opponent this season.
LEAGUE LEADERS: Setter Mayli Whetter is fifth in the MIAA with 8.44 assists per set while outside hitter Lydia Pitts is seventh with 3.15 kills per set.
SCOUTING MSSU: The Lions are 6-12, 1-6 MIAA and have lost their last six matches. Missouri Southern is just 1-5 at home this season and allows the most aces per set at 1.94.
SCOUTING UCO: The No. 25 Bronchos are 15-5, 4-2 MIAA and have won their last five matches. UCO is second in opponent hitting percentage at .138 and leads the league in aces at 1.76 per set.
THE SERIES: The Lions are 8-2 against Missouri Southern after a sweep earlier this season and 4-5 all-time against Central Oklahoma.
