The UIS volleyball team continues non-conference play this weekend when it travels to St. Joseph, Missouri, for the 2026 Holiday Inn Express Griffon Volleyball Invitational at Missouri Western State. The Prairie Stars, 2-5 on the season, will face Central Missouri at 1 p.m. Friday before taking on No. 10 Missouri Western at 6 p.m. Friday. UIS closes the weekend against Arkansas Tech at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

UIS enters the weekend after a strong showing at the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational, where the Prairie Stars went 2-1 and closed the weekend with a 3-1 victory over host Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday night. Makenna Cox and Madi Siefken were both named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances.

Cox has continued to lead the Prairie Stars offensively through the first seven matches of the season. She has recorded 97 kills for an average of 4.22 per set, along with 108.5 points and 4.72 points per set. Her 4.22 kills per set lead the GLVC by a significant margin, while her 4.72 points per set also rank first in the conference. Cox has contributed in the back row as well, totaling 78 digs for 3.39 per set, which ranks among the GLVC's top 10.

Siefken has provided production across multiple areas for UIS, totaling 18 kills, 14 blocks, 47 digs and 125 assists through seven matches. Emma Frazier has added 66 digs at a .925 reception percentage.

UIS opens the tournament against Central Missouri, which enters at 4-4 after facing a challenging early-season schedule. The Jennies picked up a notable 3-1 victory over No. 7 MSU Denver last weekend. Central Missouri has several offensive threats, led by Maya Fergerson with 2.88 kills per set. Bria Dawson has 59 kills and a team-best .320 hitting percentage, while Shaye Koski has totaled 78 kills and averages 2.52 kills per set. Chloe Rauner directs the offense with 257 assists, averaging 8.57 per set. Ragin Corwin has handled the majority of the defensive work in the back row with 139 digs, or 4.48 per set.

Friday evening brings a matchup with tournament host and No. 10 Missouri Western. The Griffons enter the weekend at 7-1 and climbed to No. 10 after going 3-1 at last week's Fairfield Inn Griffon Volleyball Classic. Missouri Western earned wins over then-No. 10 Southwest Minnesota State, Northern State and Oklahoma Christian before falling to Rockhurst in five sets.

Tanith Roush has been one of the Griffons' biggest offensive weapons, totaling 108 kills through eight matches while hitting .366. She averages 3.60 kills and 3.95 points per set. Missouri Western also gets significant production at the net from Mackenzie Peters, who has 44 blocks for an average of 1.47 per set, along with Brooklyn Gormley with 28 blocks and Taylor Russell with 24.

The Prairie Stars will close the weekend Saturday afternoon against Arkansas Tech. Tech enters the tournament at 6-3 after winning four straight matches before a loss to Pittsburg State.

Henley Hooks leads Arkansas Tech with 103 kills and 3.12 kills per set while hitting .270. Erika Hernandez has been especially efficient offensively, recording 84 kills while hitting .438. Savannah Meyer has added 64 kills, 41 digs and 11 blocks. Karis Brinlee anchors the Golden Suns' back row with 137 digs, averaging 4.28 per set.

The three matches give UIS an opportunity to test itself against three teams at or above .500, including a nationally ranked Missouri Western squad, as the Prairie Stars continue their preparation for GLVC play.