Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University volleyball team welcomes Canisius College, Loyola (Md.) and UMBC to the Sewall Center this Friday for the 2015 Robert Morris Invitational. The three-day event (Aug. 28-30) features five matches between the four participating programs.
 
The Colonials are coming off a 15-17 season, during which they compiled an impressive 12-2 record in Northeast Conference (NEC) play. Robert Morris advanced to its first NEC title game since 2010 last November and posted its best conference winning percentage (.857) during head coach Dale Starr's tenure.
 
Robert Morris qualified for its 16^th consecutive NEC Tournament last season, extending the conference's longest active streak. In each of those 16 seasons, the Colonials have posted a winning record in league competition, which stands as the longest such streak of any NEC member, past or present.
 

2015 Robert Morris Invitational Rundown
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28		Match Time	Live Stream	Live Stats
Robert Morris | UMBC		6 p.m.	NEC Front Row	Sidearm
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
Loyola Md. | UMBC		11:00 a.m.		Sidearm
Robert Morris | UMBC		2:30 p.m.	NEC Front Row	Sidearm
Robert Morris | Loyola Md.		6:00 p.m.	NEC Front Row	Sidearm
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
Canisius | Loyola Md.		2:00 p.m.		Sidearm

 
Robert Morris versus the RMU Invitational Opponents
UMBC | August 28 & 29 | 6 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
The Colonials lead the all-time series with the Retrievers, 6-5 (0-1 under Starr)
 
LOYOLA MD. | August 29 | 6 p.m.
The Colonials boast a sterling 8-0 all-time record versus the Greyhounds
This will be the first meeting between the programs since Starr took over as head coach of RMU; last meeting was the 2009 Duquesne/Robert Morris Invitational
 
And Then There Was One
At the conclusion of the 2014 campaign, RMU said goodbye to seven seniors, leaving Kristin Thompson as the lone senior on the 2015 roster.
 
Women of Honor
Junior Arden Fisher and Thompson were both named to the 2014 All-NEC Second Team for their stellar season a year ago. Fisher, a two-time Second Team honoree (2013, 2014) led the 2014 squad in kills (251), kills per set (2.39) and finished the year second on the team in digs (369) and digs per set (3.51). Thompson compiled a .355 hitting percentage (tops in the league) and ranked third in the NEC in blocks per set (1.36).
 
Preseason Predictions
Robert Morris was selected to finish third in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Fresh Faces
The Colonials welcome six freshmen and one sophomore newcomer to the team this season.
 
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