Wright State – ESPN3 | Live Stats | Evansville - ESPN3 | Live Stats | Tennessee Tech – ESPN3 | Live Stats

NU volleyball starts the season on the road at the Wright State Invitational from Aug. 28-29. The Purple Eagles will play the host Wright State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before facing Evansville at 10 a.m. and Tennessee Tech at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Purple Points

• Head coach Vilis Ozols returns for his third season in charge of the program.
• Last season, the Purple Eagles had a 10-win improvement which was the 10th best increase in the nation and the largest increase by a MAAC team since 2010. 
• The Purple Eagles bring back nine letterwinners including MAAC All-Rookie Team members Alexis Gray, Nicole Matheis and Rylee Hunt.
• The three MAAC All-Rookie team selections were the most from a single school in the conference history.
• Also back this season is junior standout Alex Stone, senior Melissa McGwin, junior Taylor Edmonds, sophomore Meghan Higley and Breanna DaPra, who missed the entire season due to injury.
• NU will have three new faces in sophomore defensive specialist Kayla McSorley, freshman Taylor Kells and freshman Mackenzie Keating.

National Rankings

• Last season, Niagara found itself ranked in the top-30 in three categories.
• The Purple Eagles were eighth in total aces and 18^th in aces per set, were 21^st in total team attacks and 22^nd in attacks per set and 30^th in the nation in total team digs.

Across The Net: Wright State (0-0)

• The series is tied at 1-1 with the last meeting occurring in August 2011
• Was picked ninth in the Horizon League Poll

 
Across The Net: Evansville Purple Aces

• First meeting
• Last season's team finished with an 8-22 record.
• Was picked ninth in the league poll.

Across The Net: Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles

• Lost only meeting (3-0) on Sept. 7, 2013
• Finished last season with a 15-19 overall record and went 9-7 in conference
• Was picked fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference poll  

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for volleyball updates at @NiagaraVB. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.