The Basics
Betty Austin Invitational
Oral Roberts (0-0) vs. UT-Chattanooga (0-0) | Oral Roberts (0-0) at Alabama A&M (0-0) | Oral Roberts (0-0) vs. Southern Illinois (0-0)
Dates: August 31 - September 1
Location: T.M. Elmore Gym 
Livestream: None | Live Stats: vs. UT-Chattanooga - at Alabama A&M - vs. Southern Illinois

TULSA, Okla. - The Oral Roberts volleyball program opens the 2024 season at the Betty Austin Invitational in Huntsville, Alabama this weekend. The Golden Eagles have a two-game slate on Saturday, August 31st and one game on Sunday, September 1st. ORU will face UT-Chattanooga on Saturday at 9 a.m. followed by Alabama A&M at 7 p.m. before concluding the tournament on Sunday against Southern Illinois at 10:00 a.m.

Important Links
Game Notes
Summit League Notes

Opening Serve

• Head Coach Luke Ward is entering his second season at the helm of the Golden Eagles. Over the offseason, Ward welcomed seven newcomers to the roster, five of which are freshmen.
• Seniors Trinity Freeman and Breanna Rivas headline the list of returners for ORU. The pair of roommates were named Players to Watch by the Summit League. Freeman ranked ninth in kills (332) and fifth in kills per set (3.49) within the Summit League while also ranking second on the team in digs (256). Rivas led the team in digs (301) and ranked fifth in digs per set in the Summit League (3.67).
• At the net, the Golden Eagles return Natassia Baptiste who in 2023, racked up 102 kills, led the team in solo blocks (8) and was tied for the most block assists on the team (49).
• The ORU volleyball program opens the 2024 season seven wins away from 1,000 wins as a program. 

Inside the Matchup: UT-Chattanooga

• Friday's match marks the second meeting with UT-Chattanooga all-time (1-0), the first since 2011. 
• UT-Chattanooga was selected to finish seventh in the Southern Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

Inside the Matchup: Alabama A&M

• ORU leads Alabama A&M 1-0, with their last matchup coming in 2005.
• Alabama A&M was picked to finish fifth in the SWAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Inside the Matchup: Southern Illinois

• The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series against Southern Illinois, 4-0, winning their last meeting in four sets.
• The Salukis were picked to finish fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll.

For the latest information on ORU volleyball, follow @ORUVolleyball on X or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the ORU Athletics App in the Google Play or App Store.