The Basics
Oral Roberts (6-13, 3-4) vs. South Dakota (16-2, 5-1) | Oral Roberts (6-13, 3-4) vs. South Dakota State (10-8, 4-2)
Dates: October 13 & 15
Location: Sanford Coyote Sports Center, Vermillion, S.D. | Frost Arena, Brookings, S.D.
Live Video: Game One | Game Two 
Live Stats: Game One | Game Two

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts volleyball team hits the road for a pair of Summit League matchups at South Dakota Thursday, Oct. 13 and South Dakota State Saturday, Oct. 15. First serve for Thursday's match is set for 7 p.m., while Saturday's contest is slated for 1 p.m.

Important Links
ORU Match Notes
Summit League Notes

Opening Serve
• ORU snapped their four-match losing streak with a sweep over Western Illinois inside the Cooper Aerobics Center Tuesday night. In the win, the Golden Eagles recorded a season-high .305 attack percentage.

• Kaia Dunford led the charge for the Golden Eagles as the junior logged her team-leading eighth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 kills and 18 digs. Middle blocker Sakira LaCour contributed with 11 kills on 21 swings for a .476 attack percentage.

• At the net, LaCour continues to be one of the top blockers in the country as the senior enters the weekend ranked third in the Summit League and 17th nationally in total blocks with 90.

• Outside hitter Trinity Freeman continues to pace the offensive attack for ORU as the sophomore has downed 227 kills, which ranks fifth in the Summit League.

• As a team, the Golden Eagles lead the Summit League in attacks (2,705), attacks per set (37.57), digs (1,166) and digs per set (16.19). Nationally, ORU sits 10th in attacks per set, 13th in attacks, 21st in digs and 25th in digs per set.

• The Golden Eagles are coming off their best season since 2016 after recording an 18-11 mark in 2021.

• In the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Golden Eagles were selected to finish fourth, garnering 53 votes. Middle blocker LaCour and outside hitter Freeman were selected as the Preseason Players to Watch for the Golden Eagles as voted on by the league's 10 head coaches. In 2021, LaCour was a First Team All-Summit League performer, while Freeman was named to the All-Freshman Team. 

• Head Coach Frank Craig III is in his third season at the helm of the Golden Eagles and returned nine letterwinners from a season ago. In the offseason, Craig welcomed freshmen Kyla Randall, Kedron Burk, Natassia Baptiste and Serena Kohler to the roster, along with Utah State transfer Kalena Vaivai.

Inside the Matchup: South Dakota
• Thursday's match marks the 20th meeting all-time between ORU and South Dakota.

• The Coyotes lead the all-time series 14-5 and won two of the three meetings a season ago.

• South Dakota currently sits tied atop the Summit League standings at 5-1.

Inside the Matchup: South Dakota State
• ORU and South Dakota State meet for the 27th time Saturday.

• The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series against the Jackrabbits 18-8 and have won two of the last three meetings.

• South Dakota State currently holds a 1.5 game lead over ORU for the sixth spot in the league standings. 
 
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