The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

After opening MIAA play with a 2-1 record last week, the Truman volleyball team returns to the road this weekend for a pair of 7:00 pm matches on Friday and Saturday at Missouri Southern and Central Missouri.
 
The Bulldogs (8-3, 2-1 MIAA) travel to Joplin on Friday night to face the MSSU Lions, who are still in search of their first win of 2012 after going 0-10 through the first three weeks of the season.

Then, on Saturday, Truman makes a stop in Warrensburg to renew a long-time rivalry with Central Missouri, currently the nation’s 8th-ranked program.

The Jennies are also 8-3 entering the week but are 2-0 in MIAA play after the first week of league action.
 
Truman kicked off MIAA play last week with a 3-2 win at conference-newcomer Lindenwood on Tuesday night before splitting decisions with Washburn (loss 2-3) and Southwest Baptist (win 3-0) during the weekend.

For the week, the Bulldogs hit .197 and held opponents to just a .162 mark, averaging 2.38 blocks per set. In the team’s loss to Washburn,

Truman tied the third-most blocks in program history with 19 blocks, including eight solo rejections at the net.
 
Senior Megan Sharpe continues to lead the Bulldogs with 4.17 points/set, while sophomore Allie Brak is right behind at 4.08 pt/s.

Both are averaging more than 3.2 kills per set, with Brak adding 2.65 digs/set and Sharpe leading the MIAA with 1.29 blocks/set.
 
The Bulldogs are coached by Ben Briney, who, in his fourth season at the helm, has compiled an overall record of 77-38 (.670).

Courtesy Truman State University