TULSA, Okla. – Oral Roberts Volleyball kicked off the 2026 season 2-0 with wins over Stonehill and Nicholls at the LSU New Orleans-Nicholls invitational.

The Golden Eagles started the weekend with a sweep against Stonehill. Elyse Dube led the team with five kills as the first set was dominated by ORU, 25-17. The second set was close to start, with Mackenzie Murphy helping defend the floor with eight digs, as ORU snagged the set 28-26. The Golden Eagles continued fighting in the third, with 9 tie scores, ultimately coming out on top 25-23 to open the season with a sweep. 

Play stayed tight in game two, as ORU and Nicholls saw 41 ties and 18 lead changes across five sets. The Golden Eagles fell short by only 2 points in the first set, as Cortnee Smith recorded seven kills and two digs. The second set was close, with 10 ties and five lead changes, but ORU came up short 20-25. 

The third saw Ciara Cunningham helping to take the set with six kills and four digs, while Ana Appel dished out 10 assists, finishing 25-23 to keep ORU alive. The fight continued as the Golden Eagles took the fourth set 25-22, highlighted by Smith's seven kills and two digs. ORU completed the reverse sweep, taking the fifth set 15-13, finishing the day with a 2-0 record. 

Game Notes

• Cortnee Smith had 36 kills, 18 digs, earning 38 points in two games.
• Ciara Cunningham recorded 24 kills, 5 aces, and 10 digs, earning 38 points for the Golden Eagles.
• Ana Appel recorded 82 assists, 50 of which were against Nicholls, and 20 digs over two games
• Mackenzie Murphy led ORU with 38 digs.
• The team finished the day with 106 kills, 97 assists, and 22 aces.

For the latest information on ORU volleyball, follow @ORUVolleyball on X or go to www.ORUAthletics.com.  

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