ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies volleyball team opens up its 2024 home schedule this weekend as it welcomes Sacramento State and St. Francis inside the OU Credit Union, before it heads to Ann Arbor, Mich., to take on the University of Michigan.
 
The team is coming off a sweep against Eastern Michigan at the EMU Tournament after it dropped its first two matches of the tournament. Rachel Rossman was named to the Offensive All-Tournament Team after she totaled 84 assists on the weekend, while Christina Bohm was named to the Defensive All-Tournament Team with one solo block and seven block assists. The Golden Grizzlies took care of business as it outscored the Eagles, 76-53, highlighted by a dominant 25-10 win in set two.
 
Oakland returns to the OU Credit Union O'rena for the first time since Nov. 7, 2023, as the Golden Grizzlies swept IU Indy to complete its 7-5 home record. The Golden Grizzlies host Sacramento State and St. Francis, while a neutral site match between Sacramento State and Akron will be played on the Blacktop as part of the Michigan/Oakland Invitational, hosted by both the University of Michigan and Oakland University.
 
FRIDAY, SEPT. 13
OPPONENT: Sacramento State
TIME: 6:00 p.m. ET
LIVE STATS
 
The Hornets enter the Michigan/Oakland Invitational 3-3 but come off a four set loss to UC Davis. Prior to its loss, Sacramento State grabbed three-straight wins at its own tournament, the Sacramento State Invitational, as it won in three, four and five sets. So far in the season, the Hornets have been swept on one occasion as it matched up against nationally ranked Arkansas at the Cal Poly Invitational but kept all three sets close as it didn't score less than 22 points in any set.
 
Oakland is the third team the Sacramento State will face during its Michigan road trip, as the Hornets open up the invitational against Saint Francis and Michigan today (Thursday) before it faces the Golden Grizzlies and Akron. Friday's match marks the first time the two teams will have faced each other in school history.
 
Through six matches, the Hornets hit at a .204 mark with 13.5 kills per set, and allow the same hitting percentage to its opponents but with 12.3 kills per set. Bridgette Smith and Caitlin Volkmann lead the team with 91 and 82 kills, respectively, as Smith leads the two with a .234 hitting percentage. On the defensive side, Ashlynn Archer leads the Hornets in both solo blocks and block assists as she's totaled 18 total blocks this season.
 
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14
OPPONENT: Saint Francis University (Kid's Day / Camper Day)
TIME: 3:00 p.m. ET
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Just like the Hornets, the Red Flash enter the invitational 3-3 and ride on a three-match win streak. After Saint Francis was swept in two of its first three matches, its only given up two total sets. The Red Flash open the invitational against Sacramento State today (Thursday), before it takes on Akron and rounds out the invitational Saturday against the Golden Grizzlies.
 
Oakland holds a 5-1 record against Saint Francis, and holds a 17-6 set record, which dates back to 1999 where the Golden Grizzlies secured the win in four sets. Oakland currently holds a four-match win streak against Saint Francis as the only win from the Red Flash came at the Duquense Invitational in 2000 in a five-set match. Saturday's match marks the second non-neutral site match as the Red Flash visited Rochester in 2007 and were swept by the Golden Grizzlies.
 
The Red Flash struggle on the attack, as it hits at a .149 hitting percentage with 11.2 kills per set while its opponents hit at a .215 mark. On average, Saint Francis tallies three aces per set and only commit 1.6 reception errors per set. Maggie Hogan leads the team with 86 kills, good for 3.91 kills per set, with a .235 hitting percentage, as Alyssa Irwim leads the defensive side with 13 total blocks.
 
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15
OPPONENT: @ University of Michigan
TIME: 1:00 p.m. ET
LIVE STATS
LIVE STREAM: BigTen+
 
Michigan enters the invitational with no losses to its name as its 6-0 overall. Four of its first six matches have been played at home, with its other two wins coming at the Mississippi State StarkVegas Classic as it swept Mississippi State and beat Notre Dame in four sets. The Wolverines have only lost four total sets and have been to five sets once during its season opener against Delaware. The Golden Grizzlies are the final team the Wolverines will play in the invitational as it opens against Sacramento State today (Thursday) and Akron tomorrow (Friday).
 
Sunday's match marks the eighth meeting between the two teams as the Golden Grizzlies look for its first win against the Wolverines. A series that dates back to 2001, Oakland has yet to win a set against Michigan as all but one match has been played in Ann Arbor, Mich.
 
Entering the invitational, the Wolverines tally 14.2 kills per set with a .245 hitting percentage, as its opponents put down 10.7 kills a set with a .179 hitting percentage. Allison Jacobs is the leading hitter for the Wolverines with 83 kills and a .224 hitting percentage, as Valentine Vaulet is behind with 57. Defensively speaking, Serena Nyambio leads the team with 24 blocks and three Wolverines have tallied 14+ blocks on the year.