Volleyball team starts 4-0 in Florida

Bump it Ashley Shepard bumps the ball during a practice in preparation for the Nova Southeastern Sharks Classic last weekend. The Lady Blues went 4-0 while Shepard had 10 kills against Nova Southern.

Nathan Miller

The sunshine state treated the Lady Blues volleyball team well. The Lady Blues swept the competition and finished the weekend 4-0 in the Nova Southeastern Sharks Classic held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The Lady Blues defeated Augustana 3-0 and Lynn 3-1 Friday night. Then on Saturday the Lady Blues finished off the competition, defeating both Nova Southeastern and Palm Beach Atlantic 3-0.

One big question was answered this weekend. Junior All-American outside hitter Monica Meisner returned for the first time after receiving a medical redshirt last year. Meisner, playing with her left had predominantly over her right, which is still not fully recovered, finished the weekend with 26 kills and 43 digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Shepard also appears to be healthy after missing most of the MIAA tournament last year with an injury. Shepard lead the Lady Blues in kills with 10 against Nova Southern.

The Lady Blues open their home stand against the Newman University Jets tomorrow night. The Lady Blues swept the Jets last year 3-0.

Then Friday, the Lady Blues will take to the road once again traveling to Kansas City, Mo., to participate in the Rockhurst Fall Classic. The Lady Blues open with the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. The Lopers are 4-0 and picked to win the RMAC conference this year.

The Lady Blues will finish Friday with the Minnesota State Mankato University Mavericks. The Mavericks participated in the Nova Southeastern Sharks Classic as well this weekend, also picking up four victories. The Lady Blues swept the Mavericks 3-0 last year.

Volleyball schedule

Aug. 24-25 Nova SE Tournament Aug. 28 Newman 7 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Rockhurst Tournament Sept. 4 Missouri-Rolla 6 p.m. Sept. 7-8 Harding Tournament Sept. 12 Fort Hays State 7 p.m. Sept. 14 Florida Southern 5:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Northwest Missouri 7 p.m. Sept. 21 Pittsburg State 7 p.m. Sept. 22 Missouri Southern 6 p.m. Sept. 26 Emporia State 7 p.m. Sept. 29 Northwest Missouri 1 p.m. Oct. 3 Truman 7 p.m. Oct. 5-6 Lady Blues Tournament Oct. 10 Central Missouri 7 p.m. Oct. 13 Southwest Baptist 3 p.m. Oct. 18 Fort Hays State 7 p.m. Oct. 20 Missouri Western 4:30 p.m. Oct. 23 Rockhurst 7 p.m. Oct. 26 Pittsburg State 7 p.m. Oct. 27 Missouri Southern 2 p.m. Oct. 30 Emporia State 7 p.m. Nov. 2 Southwest Baptist 7 p.m. Nov. 6, 9, 10 MIAA Tournament TBA

Home games in bold Neutral sites in italics