ROLLA, MO- The Miner volleyball faces a tough challenge this weekend as they host Illinois Springfield on Friday night and (6) Lewis on Saturday afternoon.

After spending the last three weekends on the road, S&T will play their first home games since the Miner Invitational in the beginning of September. Since Gibson Arena last saw the Miners, they have gone 7-3 and picked up a 1-1 start in GLVC play.

Offensively, the Miners front line has produced an impressive threat to their competitors; Emilee Schlader (Lewiston, Idaho/Lewiston) leads the team with 186 kills for the season while Payton Gannaway (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence Free State) and Kiernan O'Boyle (Kansas City, Mo./St. Teresa's Academy) are not far behind her with 168 and 124 kills, respectively.
Corinne Stucle has been the heart of the Miners defense, picking up 203 digs. O'Boyle has done major damage up the net on the defensive side as well, recording 15 solo blocks and 40 assists, well ahead to break her record last season of 121 total blocks.

About Illinois Springfield (10-4; 2-0 GLVC):
The Prairie Stars are currently on a five game winning streak that was extended about sweeps of Quincy and Truman State to open up GLVC play last weekend.

Illinois Springfield's last match, against the Bulldogs of Truman State, gave them an easy 3-0 win after set finals of 25-7, 25-9, and 25-16. Hannah Nicolaisen led all players with 13 kills on 24 attempts while Becca Blakeley dished out a match-high 31 assists.

UIS is led by Hannah Nicolaisen's 3.00 kills/set (141 total) and Alli Splitt's 132 kills. Splitt and Brianna Rush have helped defensively, sending a combined 86 balls back from the block this season while Rachel Cobertis leading the team with 223 digs.

All-time, the Miners have seen great results over the Prairie Stars. They are 10-3 overall with the last win coming in the 2016 season.

The last time the two teams met, Illinois Springfield came out with the 3-1 win behind 15 blocks and forcing 39 Miner errors.

About Lewis (12-1; 2-0 GLVC):
The Flyers, who are currently ranked 6^th in the nation, come into the weekend on a six-game winning streak that was extended after back-to-back sweeps of Truman State and Quincy in conference opening weekend.

Lewis made quick work of the Hawks of Quincy University last weekend; 23 Quincy errors along with 37 kills from the Flyers helped Lewis gain the 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-15) win.

A quartet of hitters have led the Lewis to their 12-1 start; Alexandrea Preuss (134), Ava Venema (133), Colleen Willhelm (126), and Megan Schlechte (123), have all shared the work putting down kills while Venema (60.0 total) has been the go-to on defense on the block.

The last time the Miners and Flyers met, Lewis took advantage of 21 S&T errors in the 3-0 match. Emilee Schlader (Lewiston, Idaho/Lewiston) led the way for S&T with 14 kills and eight digs while Sarah McGinnis (Middleton, Wis./Edgewood) dished out 16 assists.

Before making their way to Rolla, Lewis will face off against UW-Parkside on Tuesday and the Saints of Maryville on Friday night.