The newest team in the GLVC will face one of the top teams in the SIAC during the upcoming season.
Southwest Baptist as part of unveiling its 2027 schedule announced that it will have a non-conference home match against Central State on Jan. 23.
Southwest Baptist in the program’s inaugural season finished 2026 in sixth place in the GLVC but went 8-1 in non-conference play. Among the primarily freshmen starting lineup for the Bearcats last season included All-GLVC pin-hitter Lucas Phelan who was in the nation’s top 25 with a 3.63 kills per game average.
Central State ended last season reaching the SIAC Tournament finals and was one win away from earning the program’s first berth to the NCAA Tournament.
All-SIAC middle attacker Simon Falayi also was third in the nation with a .442 attack percentage. Falayi had double-digit kills and hit at least .450 in nine matches last season highlighted with 11 kills on a .500 attack percentage against Benedict in the SIAC Tournament semifinals.
This will be the first all-time meeting between Central State and Southwest Baptist.
Southwest Baptist will have three non-conference matches against SIAC teams during the upcoming season. The team a day before playing Central State will play host to Kentucky State and then will play Edward Waters at the Missouri S&T Invitational in February.
2027 Southwest Baptist schedule
Jan. 14 at Oklahoma Wesleyan
Jan. 15 at Oklahoma Wesleyan
Jan. 22 vs. Kentucky State
Jan. 23 vs. Central State
Jan. 27 at Mission
Jan. 29 vs. Saint Mary (at Central Christian)
Jan. 29 vs. Avila (at Central Christian)
Jan. 30 at Central Christian
Jan. 30 vs. Hastings (at Central Christian)
Feb. 5 vs. Avila (at Missouri S&T)
Feb. 6 vs. Edward Waters (at Missouri S&T)
Feb. 12 vs. Central Christian (2x)
Feb. 18 vs. Mission
March 5 vs. Maryville
March 6 vs. Maryville
March 12 at Roosevelt
March 13 at Roosevelt
March 19 vs. Rockhurst
March 20 vs. Rockhurst
March 26 at Missouri S&T
March 27 at Missouri S&T
April 2 vs. Jamestown
April 3 vs. Jamestown
April 16 at Quincy
April 17 at Quincy