Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern volleyball team will be in action this weekend as the Lions head up to northwest Missouri to take on Missouri Western on Friday and No. 17 Northwest Missouri State on Saturday. 

The Lions (4-18, 1-8 MIAA) lost to both teams earlier in the season. Freshman Alicia Pickett ranks fourth in the MIAA in blocks per set with 1.03, while fellow freshman Whitney Harrison is tenth in the MIAA in assists. The Lions, as a team rank sixth in the MIAA in aces per set and seventh in total aces. 

Western is 12-9 overall and 4-5 in the MIAA. The Griffons are seventh in the MIAA and are led by Rachel Friedrichs who is hitting .319 and averages 2.96 kills per set. 

Northwest is 19-2 overall and 7-2 in the MIAA. The Bearcats are ranked 17th nationally and are in a tie for third place in the MIAA. Northwest is led by Maddy Bruder who is averaging 3.96 kills per set. 

Live stats and live video (Northwest only) links are above in the story links.