The Basics
Oral Roberts (5-9, 2-0) vs. North Dakota State (10-5, 3-0) | Oral Roberts (5-9, 2-0) vs. North Dakota (5-9, 2-1)
Dates: September 29 & Oct. 1
Location: Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse, Fargo, N.D. | Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, Grand Forks, N.D.
Live Video: Game One | Game Two 
Live Stats: Game One | Game Two

FARGO, N.D. – Riding a two-match win streak, the Oral Roberts volleyball team continues Summit League play with road contests at North Dakota State Thursday, September 29 and North Dakota Saturday, October 1. Thursday's match is slated for 7 p.m., while Saturday's contest is set for 10 a.m.

Important Links
ORU Match Notes (NDSU)
ORU Match Notes (North Dakota)
Summit League Notes

Opening Serve
• The Golden Eagles picked up their first sweep of the 2022 season Tuesday as they downed St. Thomas inside the Cooper Aerobics Center. With the win, ORU is off to a 2-0 start in league play for the second straight season.

• Trinity Freeman and Kaia Dunford led the way offensively in the win as the two registered 12 kills apiece. For the fifth straight game, Kalena Vaivai led the team in assists as the senior finished with 29 to go along with seven digs and five kills.

• At the net, Sakira LaCour continued her dominant senior campaign as she paced ORU with four blocks to extend her total to 79 on the season, which ranks second in the Summit League. The Albuquerque, New Mexico, native entered the week ranked eighth nationally in total blocks and 17th in blocks per set.

• Thursday's contest against the Bison is a battle for sole possession of first place in the Summit League as both squads are the only remaining unbeaten teams in conference play.

• In Summit League road openers, the Golden Eagles are 15-8 all-time.

• As a team, ORU enters the weekend as the Summit League leader in attacks per set (37.25) and digs per set (16.11).
 
• Nationally, ORU came into the week ranked13th in attacks per set, 24th in digs per set and 34th in digs (902).

• 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: North Dakota State
• Thursday's match marks the 34th meeting all-time between the Golden Eagles and Bison.

• ORU won both matchups a season ago, including a sweep in Fargo, North Dakota. Despite the two straight wins, the Golden Eagles trail the all-time series, 21-12.

• The Bison were picked to finish seventh in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

Inside the Matchup: North Dakota
• ORU and North Dakota meet for the ninth time on Saturday. The all-time series is currently tied at 4-4. 

• The Golden Eagles swept both meetings a season ago and are 2-1 all-time in Grand Forks, N.D.

• The Fighting Hawks were selected eighth in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
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