Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern volleyball team will be in action this weekend as the Lions travel to Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State. First serve for both matches on Friday and Saturday are slated for 6 pm. 

The Lions (2-17, 2-7 MIAA) have seen an upturn in offense recently as the Lions are averaging over 9.00 assists per set and 9.60 kills per set over the past four matches. Against two top-20 opponents Morgan Nash has come up solid defensively for the Lions as she is averaging 4.73 digs per set over the last four matches and averaged 6.45 last weekend against Washburn and Emporia State. 

Janelle Brehm averaged 3.33 digs per set in the last four matches, while Olivia Lewis averaged 0.87 blocks per set. Kylee Kaaihue averaged 7.73 assists per set in the last four, but bumped that to nearly 9 last weekend. 

Nebraska-Kearney (22-1, 8-1 MIAA) is ranked third nationally and the Lopers are led by Kendral Schroer with 3.02 kills per set. Lindsey Smith averages 10.77 assists per set, while Ellie McDonnell is at 5.54 digs per set. The Lopers' lone loss came against Washburn in a 3-1 loss in Topeka. 

Fort Hays State (6-15, 0-9 MIAA) are led by Isabelle Reynolds at 2.66 kills per set, while multiple Tigers have seen time at setter this year and Breann Becker leading the pack at 6.36 assists per set. Abbie Hayes has 4.75 digs per set. 

Next Up

The Lions will be back at home for its final three home matches of the season. Southern will play host to Southwest Baptist on October 16 at 7 pm, while also hosting Pittsburg State on October 19 at 6 pm. The match with the Gorillas will be the team's Pink Night. October 20, the Lions will honor its two seniors with Senior day at noon against Central Oklahoma.