Kansas City
Missouri State
Roos Ready For Battle For Missouri
9/16/2026 8:04:00 PM | Volleyball
Kansas City welcomes three in-state opponents to Swinney Center for the second annual Battle for Missouri.
Kansas City, Mo. — The Roos enter the Battle for Missouri with a 5-4 record after a 1-2 outing at the Kansas City Klassic, where every match reached at least four sets. This year's Battle For Missouri will be the second annual event and will close out nonconference play for the Roos.
The tournament will start Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against Missouri State, followed by a 7 p.m. matchup against Saint Louis University, and will close the tournament against Southeast Missouri Sunday at 11 a.m. All three Kansas City matches will be streamed on the Summit League Network.
Closing Out Nonconference Play
The Battle For Missouri will be the Roos' last chance to test themselves before entering Summit League play on Sept. 26.
The Roos' offense has been led by Ryanne Wattree, who, in her most recent outings at the Kansas City Klassic, put up 41 kills across three matches, including a 22-kill performance against Utah Valley and a 16-kill performance in the closing match against Drake. Wattree has emerged as one of Kansas City's best offensive weapons throughout nine matches.
Defensively, Kaminski has been the anchor for the Roos' back row at libero. Currently with 170 digs through nine matches, Kaminski sits tied for 16th in total digs this season and 23rd in digs per set at 4.72. After winning Summit League Defensive Peak Performer of the Week in Week One after recording 61 digs in three matches at the Stacheville Challenge, Kaminski is looking to continue to lead the Roos defensively heading into the Battle For Missouri.
Kansas City will also look to continue getting production from players such as Stella Smith, Emry Brown and Natalie Ptacek, who made her first appearance of the season last week.
Battle For Missouri
The tournament returns for its second year, bringing the same four teams but at a new location, with the event being held at home in Swinney Center instead of Saint Louis in 2025.
The Roos will begin their tournament with a battle against Missouri State on Thursday, followed by three matches inside Swinney Center. Saint Louis and SEMO will meet at 10 a.m., followed by SEMO and Missouri State at 4 p.m., and closing out Friday's action with Kansas City hosting Saint Louis at 7 p.m. The tournament concludes Saturday with Kansas City and SEMO at 11 a.m., followed by Missouri State and Saint Louis at 2 p.m.
The Battle For Missouri marks Kansas City's last chance to make a statement before heading into Summit League play against Oral Roberts on Sept. 26.
UP NEXT:
Kansas City opens Summit League play against Oral Roberts on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. inside the Swinney Center.
