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Bulls Set To Host UB Invitational This Weekend
8/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, NY - The 2012 University at Buffalo volleyball team will get its season underway this weekend as the Bulls host the UB Invitational, Friday and Saturday at Alumni Arena. Joining Buffalo in the field is Canisius, Oral Roberts and San Jose State. The Golden Eagles and Spartans begin play at 11:00 am tomorrow.
The Bulls return nine players from last season where they finished 11-19. Sophomore Liz Scott earned a spot on the 2011 MAC All-Freshman Team after tallying 280 kills and posting a .252 hitting percentage. More recently, Scott was named to the 2012 East Division All-MAC Preseason Team.
The Golden Griffins were 15-15 a season ago, with a 10-8 mark in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference competition, Canisius earned the fourth seed in the 2011 MAAC Tournament, where they were swept in the semifinals by top-seeded Niagara. Senior Samatha Good was a 2nd Team All-MAAC selection in 2011. The middle hitter tallied 2.37 kills and 0.77 blocks per set last season. Good was the 2010 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, when she averaged 2.90 kills per set and hit at a .326 clip.
The Spartans went 12-17 last season, and they finished 6th in the Western Athletic Conference with a 6-8 league mark. SJSU fell to New Mexico State in the quarterfinals of the 2012 WAC Tournament, 3-0. The Spartans return four starters from last season's 12-win season, including 2nd Team All-WAC selection Alex Akana. The senior middle blocker averaged 2.04 kills per set last season while hitting at a .309 clip.
Oral Roberts posted a 20-10 record in 2011, with a 12-6 mark in Summit League play, finishing with an RPI of 87. The Golden Eagles have five seniors on the team led by outside hitter Olivia Ophus, who had 241 kills and 319 digs. Libero Bruna Silva returns following a 2011 campaign where she finished with 673 digs.
Oral Roberts and San Jose State will play on Friday at 11:00 am, followed by an all Western New York battle between Buffalo and Canisius. The Golden Griffs and Golden Eagles will then play at 5:00 pm with Buffalo and San Jose State wrapping up Friday action at 7:30pm. The tournament continues on Saturday with Canisius facing San Jose State at 2:30 and Buffalo taking on Oral Roberts at 5:00pm.
For those unable to make the tournament, live stats and live video of all matches will be on Buffalobulls.com.
