ROLLA, MO & FRANKFORT, KY & CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY  --  The Miners will host Maryville University in their first match this week, welcoming the Saints for Hawaiian Night in Gibson Arena. A road trip will follow for the Miners, with weekend games at Kentucky State and Thomas More.
 
About the Maryville Saints
The Saints are 5-5 this season and have won their last four straight. Their biggest win of the season so far came against #12 Missouri Baptist in a five-set thriller earlier this month. They boast two of the top 25 attackers in the nation, with Luke Kraft's 3.83 kills per set ranking him 18th in the country and Makai Scott landing at 23rd with 3.69. Kraft is also 13th in the nation in points per set with 4.58.
 
About the Thorobreds
Kentucky State is winless at this point in the season, going 0-4 in their first matches. They have been outscored 12 sets to 1 by opponents this year. They have a lot of volleyball ahead this week, with three matches on the schedule before Saturday's match against S&T.  The Thorobreds' leading point scorer is D'Angelo Coleman, who has picked up 35.5 points so far, including 2.73 points per set. Meanwhile, Jamal Gray leads the team in both assists and aces, with 58 and 7, respectively.
 
About the Thomas More Saints
Thomas More has split their first six games of the season, going 3-3. Their most recent match was last Tuesday against Mount St. Joseph, a competition that ended in a 3-0 sweep for the Saints. The Saints have been one of the best teams in the nation in prolonging rallies, ranking 7th in digs per set with 10.00. Tyler Vasquez is the Saints' and the nations' leader in digs per set, with 3.05.
 
About the Miners
After facing some tough competition at the start of the season, the Miners fix of their last six matches, most recently defeating LeMoyne Owen in a match where they set a program record for service aces in a three-set match. Caleb Rohlwing (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) currently ranks third in the IVA for aces per set, recording 13 so far this year.
 
What's Next
The Miners will McKendree next Saturday, before hosting Thomas More for a rematch on Monday the 10th.
 
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