ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Oakland volleyball team returns to the OU Credit Union O'rena Friday for its Dig for a Cure and Healthcare Worker Appreciation game sponsored by the Pino Agency as the Golden Grizzlies take on Cleveland State at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
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Oakland (10-8, 4-2 HL) has won three of its last four games and returns home after three-straight road matches. Oakland is just one of two Horizon League teams to reach 10 wins this season, while Milwaukee had recorded 12 on the year.
 
Emily Wichmann continues to be a force for the Golden Grizzlies as the junior remains one of the nation's best defensive specialists. The Crescent Springs, Ky. native ranks second in the country in digs this season with 375, while averaging 5.36 per set, placing her ninth in the NCAA and first among the Horizon League. As a team, Oakland leads the country in digs recording an impressive 1,229 this season, placing the Golden Grizzlies fourth in the country in digs per set with 17.56.
 
Oakland boasts impressive depth when it comes to hitting percentage, as four Golden Grizzlies are in the Horizon League's top-25, led by junior Ainsley Guse in third (.329) and followed by sophomore Anika Prisby in eighth (.288), redshirt junior Libby Gentile in 20th (.213), and Patti Cesarini in 25th (.190). Cesarini and Gentry Brown remain league-leaders in kills with 3.15 and 2.31 per set, good for fourth and 20th respectively.
 
Cleveland State owns the advantage in the all-time series 13-9 while Oakland looks for its first win against the Vikings in six meetings and first victory at home since 2019.
Fans are encouraged to wear pink as we bring awareness to breast cancer research. Additionally, all healthcare workers receive discounted tickets.

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
 
Cleveland State (9-8, 3-3 HL) looks to snap a two-game skid after falling to Northern Kentucky, 3-1 and Wright State, 3-2 last weekend. Prior to last weekend's games, the Vikings were a perfect 4-0 in road games.
 
The Vikings have remained a defensive threat leading the Horizon League in blocks per set (2.59), which puts them 28th in the country. CSU's JeriLynn Koehler and Madison Olinger sit in the top five in the block with 1.07 and 1.03 respectively. Emma Walker leads the Vikings in digs with 5.07/set, placing her third in the league.

FOLLOW OAKLAND
Student-athletes, parents, and fans can follow Oakland Volleyball on social media using @OaklandWVB on Twitter and Instagram. The Gold Standard Name, Image, and Likeness Marketplace is available to bridge NIL opportunities for student-athletes and can be found here via Opendorse.

Additionally, the Oakland University Athletics app is available for download in the Apple and Google Play Stores.