LIVE VIDEO VS. NKU | LIVE STATS | MSU ON TWITTER (OFFICIAL | VOLLEYBALL)
MSU MATCH NOTES | OVC WEEKLY NOTES
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State volleyball team is preparing for three matches this weekend in the Eagles' own Comfort Inn and Suites Invitational. MSU is set to battle Northern Kentucky Friday at 11 a.m. ET, Evansville Friday at 7 p.m. ET and Alabama A&M Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Wetherby Gym.
Friday's NKU match can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network via the link above, and live stats will be available for all matches. The schedule also features three additional matches.
MSU is looking for its first win after falling to three nationally ranked opponents on opening weekend and Xavier on Tuesday night at home.
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Here are notes heading into the weekend:
Talon Tidbits
The Eagles were picked to repeat as Ohio Valley Conference champions this year in a vote by the league’s head coaches and media relations personnel ... MSU made its first NCAA Tournament appearance last season, facing No. 5 Purdue in the opening round ... Seniors Ellie Roberson and Caitlin Clark, juniors Aryn Bohannon and Leslie Schellhaas and sophomore Laura McDermott were named to the Preseason All-OVC Team ... McDermott was named the 2011 OVC Freshman of the Year ... Head Coach Jaime Gordon is in his 10th season with the Eagles and has led MSU to five OVC regular season titles, one tournament championship and 175 victories ... MSU has put together six consecutive 20-win seasons.
She Digs it
Junior libero Leslie Schellhaas leads MSU with 62 digs (4.77 per set), which ranks sixth in the OVC. She has 1,215 career digs, which ranks 11th in school history.
All About Ellie
Senior Ellie Roberson made the move to right side hitter this season and has responded with a team-high 50 kills (3.95 per set). She ranks third in the league in kills after leading the conference last season. Playing in her hometown, Roberson drilled a match-best 23 kills versus No. 31 Louisville on Aug. 25.
Double-Double Days
Senior setter Caitlin Clark and junior outside hitter Aryn Bohannon each recorded their first double-doubles of the year versus No. 31 Louisville. Clark, who led the squad with 11 double-doubles last year, had 31 assists and 12 digs. Bohannon had 12 digs and 10 kills.
Three Over 300
On Aug. 28 against Xavier, senior midlde blocker Annie Gruenschlaeger became just the third player in school history with at least 300 career block assists. She now currently ranks third in MSU career history with 301. The career record is held by Gruenschlaeger’s former teammate, Emma Keough, with 369.
Block Party
Senior middle blocker Annie Gruenschlaeger leads the OVC in blocks. She has piled up 17 rejections, including eight against No. 31 Louisville. She also compiled six solo blocks against U of L. Gruenschlaeger led all Division I freshmen in blocks during her initial season in 2009.
Familiar Faces
MSU will see some familiar faces across the net Friday night. Evansville is led by former MSU Head Coach Mike Swan. He guided the Eagles to an 82-78 mark from 1998-2002 and was the 2001 OVC Coach of the Year. MSU senior Ellie Roberson’s younger sister, Emma, is a freshman on the Purple Aces’ squad this season.
Scouting the Field
Northern Kentucky -- The Norse, who are playing their first full Division I schedule, are 4-0. NKU’s latest triumph was a 3-0 victory at Wright State on Tuesday. Kelly Morrisey leads the Norse with 3.21 kills per set. NKU has been efficient on offense with a .306 hitting percentage. They also have 30 aces in their first four matches.
Series: MSU leads 15-14
Evansville -- The Purple Aces opened their 2012 season by going 1-2 at the Arizona Wildcat Classic. Ashley Ring, who was named to the all-tournament team, averaged 4.60 kills per set. Katie Klages registered a team-high 49 digs, while Rachel TenHoor compiled 11 blocks.
Series: MSU leads 21-2
Alabama A&M -- The Bulldogs are 0-4 in 2012. Setter Ashley Forman, who was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, averages 6.17 assists and 3.08 digs per set.
Series: First meeting
