After five weeks away from home to start the season, Northwest Missouri State will be put to the test on its home floor this weekend.
The Bearcats open up their home slate with a pair of big matches — first against the 12-2 Fort Hays State Tigers, then on Saturday it's a tilt with the number 3 team in the country, Nebraska Kearney.
"We just need to play Bearcat volleyball and have confidence within ourselves, not look at the ranking or what their record is," sophomore middle hitter Chloee Hayes said. "Just play our game."
Northwest has matched up well with Fort Hays in recent years winning 15 consecutive matches against the Tigers dating back to 2017. Fort Hays posted an 11-1 record through non-conference play before going 1-1 during the opening MIAA weekend against Missouri Southern and Central Missouri.
The Lopers are an eye-popping 15-0 on the season while facing little resistance. UNK has knocked its opponents out in three sets 13 times. The other two matches, both against conference foes, were ended after four sets.
The Bearcats had the Lopers on the ropes in Maryville in 2024 winning the first two sets before UNK took the final three to escape with a victory.
The chance to see UNK, highly ranked by the AVCA once again this season, is something the Bearcats are looking forward to.
"I love that matchup," Hayes said. "I think last season we took them to five one game, then we faced them again in the conference tournament. I think there's some blood that needs to be shed and we need to go after them."
Northwest's second weekend of MIAA play begins with Fort Hays at 6pm Friday in Bearcat Arena, then Saturday it's a 3pm start time with Nebraska Kearney.
