Terri Del Conte didn't mince words when talking about the Missouri State volleyball team's two weekend losses.

"We just had a really bad weekend," the senior libero said after practice Monday. "It wasn't that we didn't try. It's that there were just things that we missed that we don't normally miss, and we let it get to us.

"That's why this week, it's important that we have a lot of hard work."

The Bears lost their first three-game match since early September on Friday at Northern Iowa. Then, they were upset by Bradley, tied for last place in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 2-14 record.

Bears coach Melissa Stokes attributed her team's poor performances to a bad week of practice. Four starters missed multiple practices with illness or family emergencies.

"We can't do that," Stokes said. "That was the biggest thing that was brought up from our seniors, was that we can't have that many people out."

Stokes said she implemented a "don't practice, don't play" policy this week, and every player was present Monday.

The Bears (20-11, 11-6) could move up to third place in the MVC if they defeat No. 11 Wichita State at 7 p.m. Friday at Hammons Student Center and UNI loses both of its weekend matches. Right now, MSU has secured at least fourth place.

Friday marks the final home match for Del Conte, Nikki Vanderpopulier and Ashley Kell. It's also the final chance to get on track before the conference tournament starts Nov. 27.

"I think it's important to show what we've got against one of the best teams in the nation," Del Conte said. "I don't think it's as important we win as that we play well and get the experience to prepare ourselves for the conference tournament.

"That's the big picture."

MSU fall roundup

Cross country: Transfer sophomore Pasca Cheruiyot became the first MSU runner since 2004 to advance to the national championship race by placing third Saturday at the Midwest Regional Championships in Stillwater, Okla.

Cheruiyot finished the 6-kilometer race in 20 minutes, 40.70 seconds. Nationals are Nov. 24 in Terra Haute, Ind.

Soccer: The men's team made a run at the MVC tournament title, but a 1-0 loss to No. 2 Creighton in the finals dashed the Bears' conference and national tournament hopes.

The Bears were not selected for the 48-team NCAA tournament. They finished the season 7-10-5.

Swimming: The Bears swept the team titles at the Henderson State Invitational on Friday and Saturday in Arkadelphia, Ark., winning the men's, women's and combined team title.

The men's team was ranked No. 29 in the most recent College Swim Coaches Association of America poll.

The next meet for both teams is Dec. 5 in Little Rock, Ark., at the UALR Christmas Invitational.