Net Results, 7-28-14: Previewing the Tiger Invitational

Players to keep an eye on

Jewell Dobson (Senior Middle Blocker)

After a solid first two years at Lipscomb (470 kills/2.89 Kills/Set combined), Dobson had a career year for the Bisons in 2013, racking up a career-high 507 kills on .378 hitting percentage, good for top three in the Atlantic Sun. The All-America returns for her senior year with hopes to capture her second A-Sun title after losing in the championship game the past two years.

Lauren Ford (Senior Outside Hitter)

Like Dobson, Ford has been a consistent offensive threat since she arrived at Lipscomb in 2011. She and Dobson have already left their marks on the volleyball program, as they are two of seven players in program history to eclipse 1,000 career kills. If Ford can improve her accuracy this year, she and Dobson could be the best 1-2 punch in the conference in 2014.

Bri McCombs (Senior Libero/Defensive Specialist)

On the defensive side of the court, Bri McCombs led the Bison in 2013 with 469 digs (4.23/per set), leading the Atlantic Sun as well. She was also the team's most dominant server last year, with 28 service aces. If the 2013 A-Sun Libero of the Year can improve upon her 2013 numbers, she'll garner some national attention and guide the Bison back to the NCAA tournament.

Early Prediction

Lipscomb is definitely a step up from the competition the Tigers will have faced at the North Texas Tournament the week before. The bison return three of the four all-conference members from the year before, and have made six of the past seven Atlantic Sun tournament championships (winning four of them). They haven't had much success against SEC opponents either, losing nine in a row to the conference, including a sweep by the Tigers in 2012. This should be win number ten for the SEC with the Tigers at home. Missouri 3, Lipscomb 0

September 5 vs. Illinois State

Players to keep an eye on

Kaitlyn Early (Senior Setter)

After sitting behind Kristin Stauter her first year at ISU, Early paced the Redbirds offense her Sophomore/Junior years with back-to-back 1,000-plus assist seasons. She also made an impact as a server, leading ISU with 34 service aces, .29 per set. One more big season could help push the Redbirds further up the Missouri Valley Ladder.

Ashley Rosch (Junior Outside Hitter)

Not many freshman made the impact like Ashley Rosch did her first year in Normal: She led the team in Kills, Points, and Kills/Set, was named MVC Freshman of the Year, and landed on the All-MVC First-Team at the end of the 2012 season. Rosch followed that up by improving on all of her numbers her Sophomore year, once again leading the team in the same three categories and was again named All-MVC First team. Accuracy is the one thing she needs to improve on for 2014, and if she can, she'll be a constant threat for all five sets.

Emily Orrick (Senior Defensive Specialist)

Orrick was a nice surprise defensively for the Redbird in 2013, the transfer from Lincoln Land Community College lead ISU with 572 digs and 4.85 digs/set, including four matches where she would eclipse 30 digs. The returning 2013 MVC Libero of the Year was the key in the Rebirds defense that held opponents to .153 hitting percentage last fall, best mark in the conference.

Early Prediction

Defensively, this is one of the better teams Missouri will face over the weekend. Emily Orrick was a big part in keeping ISU in several sets last year with last-second digs to keep the play alive. The outside players for Missouri will be the key to success for the Tigers attack, if Emily Wilson and Carly Kan can force Orrick back on her heels in the middle, Missouri should be able to handle the Redbirds. Missouri 3, Illinois State 1

September 6 vs. Oakland

Players to keep an eye on

Cassie Pelloni (Junior Outside Hitter)

Pelloni was the leading attacker for the Grizzlies in 2013, leading the team with 339 kills and 3.05 K/S. She was one of the more consistent offense players for Oakland, tallying 19 of 30 matches with double digit kills, three of those with 20-plus kills. The All-Horizon league outside hitter should be one of the better attackers in the conference in 2014.

Ciara Schultz (Junior Setter)

At Setter last season, Schultz was a solid performer for the offense, dishing out a team-leading 564 assists for an average of 5.17 A/S. She also tallied seven double-doubles last year, including her career-best performance against Youngstown State, where she dished out 32 assists along with 16 digs in the Grizzlies win over the Penguins last year. The offense should flow better with Schultz's two years of experience starting at Setter for Oakland.

Taylor Humm (Senior Outside Hitter)

While she missed a chunk of 2013 due to an ankle injury, Humm still made a very solid contribution on both offense and defense for the Grizzlies, racking up 178 kills on offense and 355 digs (3.74 D/S) on defense. She's also one of five players in Oakland Volleyball history to surpass the 1,000 dig mark in their careers.

Early Prediction

Probably the weakest team on the slate this weekend, while Oakland boasts solid players like Pelloni and Humm, it won't be enough to keep up with the Tigers at the Hearnes Center. Missouri 3, Oakland 0

September 6 vs. Xavier