The Basics
Redbird Classic
Oral Roberts (2-1) at Illinois State (1-2) | Oral Roberts (2-1) vs. SEMO (2-1) | Oral Roberts (2-1) vs. Green Bay (1-2)
Dates: September 2-3
Location: Redbird Arena / Normal, Ill.
Live Video: ORU at Illinois State | Live Stats: Game One | Game Two | Game Three

NORMAL, Ill. – Coming off back-to-back wins last weekend, the Oral Roberts volleyball team continues their non-conference slate with the Redbird Classic September 2-3 inside Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois. The Golden Eagles will face host Illinois State at 10 a.m. on Friday followed by SEMO at 5 p.m. ORU concludes play at the Redbird Classic on Saturday against Green Bay at 11 a.m.

Important Links
ORU Game Notes
Green Bay Notes
Summit League Notes

Opening Serve
• ORU opened their 2022 season with a 2-1 record at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational a weekend ago, highlighted by a thrilling come-from-behind five-set victory over host Missouri State.

• Trinity Freeman led the way offensively for the Golden Eagles as the sophomore racked up a team-best 47 kills, which ranked third among the Summit League. The Phoenix, Arizona, native also registered 3.62 kills per set and a .269 attack percentage. 

• At the net, Sakira LaCour picked up where she left off a season ago as the senior finished with a team-high 22.0 blocks and .323 attack percentage. LaCour's 22.0 blocks are tied for the most in the Summit League and rank seventh nationally.

• Setter Bryanne Soares registered a team-high two double-doubles on the weekend to bring her career total to 22, while Kaia Dunford notched the 12th of her career in the win over Missouri State.

• Entering the Redbird Classic, the Golden Eagles lead the Summit League in assists (160) and assists per set (12.31). Nationally, ORU ranks 19th in digs (217), 26th in total blocks (33.0), 27th in total attacks (486), 29th in attacks per set (37.38), 31st in digs per set (16.69), 34th in team assists (160) and 37th in kills (169).

• 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: Illinois State
• Friday's matchup against the Redbirds marks the sixth meeting all-time between the two programs and the first since 2019. ORU currently holds a 3-2 advantage in the series.

• Illinois State was selected as the favorites to win the Missouri Valley Conference as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches in the preseason poll. Seniors Kaity Weimerskirch and Sarah Kushner were named to the preseason All-MVC squad. 

• The Redbirds are coming off their third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship and fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021.

Inside the Matchup: SEMO
• For the fourth time in program history, the Golden Eagles will face off against the Redhawks. Friday's meeting marks the first since 1998 between the two squads.

• ORU currently owns a perfect 3-0 record against SEMO and have only lost one set in the series.

• The Redhawks were picked to finish second in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll after winning both the regular-season and tournament titles a season ago. Outside hitter Zoey Beasley, libero Tara Beilsmith and rightside hitter Colby Greene were named to the All-OVC preseason squad.

Inside the Matchup: Green Bay
• In the weekend finale, the Golden Eagles take on Green Bay for only the second time in program history. ORU won the lone meeting all-time between the two squads back in 1999 in four sets.

• In the Horizon League Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Phoenix were selected to finish fourth. 
 
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