The Basics
2022 ORU Invite
Oral Roberts (2-4) vs. ACU (2-3) | Oral Roberts (2-4) vs. Tulsa (2-4) | Oral Roberts (2-4) vs. UTEP (2-4)
Dates: September 9-10
Location: Cooper Aerobics Center / Tulsa, Okla.
Live Video: Game One | Game Two | Game Three  Live Stats: Game One | Game Two | Game Three

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts volleyball team opens their 2022 home slate with the ORU Invite September 9-10 inside the Cooper Aerobics Center. The Golden Eagles will host Abilene Christian at 10 a.m. followed by Tulsa at 7 p.m. on Friday before wrapping up the weekend with UTEP on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Important Links
ORU Match Notes
Tulsa Match Notes
Tournament Central
Summit League Notes

Opening Serve
• After a 2-1 start to the season, the Golden Eagles have dropped three straight after facing stiff competition at the Redbird Classic last weekend.

• Trinity Freeman continues to lead the way offensively for the Golden Eagles as the sophomore is now up to 81 kills for the season, which ranks fourth in the Summit League. The Phoenix, Arizona, native also sits fourth in the league in total points with 90.5.

• At the net, Sakira LaCour leads the Summit League and ranks fifth nationally in total blocks with 37. The senior is currently averaging 1.48 blocks per set, which is good enough for 24th nationally.

• As a team, ORU ranks inside the top 3 in the Summit League in digs per set (14.72), total digs (368), total attacks (872) and total blocks (57.0).

• The Golden Eagles are coming off their best season since 2016 after recording an 18-11 mark in 2021. ORU is in search of their first NCAA postseason appearance since 2006 and 10th overall.

• 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: Abilene Christian
• Friday's contest marks the 10th meeting all-time between ORU and the Wildcats. 

• Despite winning two of the last three matches against ACU, the Golden Eagles trail 4-5-1 in the all-time series. On the home court, ORU is a perfect 3-0 against the Wildcats.

• In the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Wildcats were picked to finish 11th. 

Inside the Matchup: Tulsa
• For the 86th time in program history, the Golden Eagles will matchup against crosstown foe Tulsa. 

• ORU currently holds a 59-26 edge in the series history with the Golden Hurricanes but are looking to snap a 13-match losing streak. At home, the Golden Eagles are 26-9 all-time against Tulsa.

• Tulsa was selected sixth in the American Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll and had senior outside hitter Kayley Cassady named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.

Inside the Matchup: UTEP
• In the weekend finale, ORU faces off against UTEP for the 20th time in program history. 

• All-time, the Golden Eagles hold a 10-9 record against the Miners, including a 2-0 mark at home.

• UTEP was tabbed third in the Conference USA Preseason Coaches' Poll and saw Serena Patterson and Alianza Darley named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
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