Robert Morris (3-6) @ Valley Forge Sports Invitational
Friday, Sept. 8 vs. Siena (3:00 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. Navy (11:30 a.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 9 @ La Salle (4:30 p.m.)
 
Top Story
The Robert Morris University volleyball team continues its 2017 campaign by taking part in the Valley Forge Invitational, hosted by La Salle, in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 8-9. The Colonials, coming off a 2-2 (.500) record in the Duquesne Invitational at the A.J. Palumbo Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., open the tournament with a 3:00 p.m. match against Siena Friday, Sept. 8. RMU will also face Navy at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and the host Explorers the same afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
 
COMPLETE NOTES PACKAGE: Valley Forge Invitational (9/8/17 & 9/9/17)

Last Time Out
The Colonials split four matches at the Duquesne Invitational, earning 3-0 victories over Canisius (9/1) and Coppin State (9/2) while falling to Northern Kentucky (9/1), 3-0, and the host Dukes, 3-0., in their final match of the invitational. Freshman middle blocker Emma Granger was tabbed to the 2017 Duquesne Invitational All-Tournament Team. In four matches she tallied 35 kills and a .448 attack percentage in 67 total chances, averaging 3.18 kills and 1.09 blocks per set.


 
Up Next
Robert Morris opens the home portion of its 2017 campaign after taking part in the Valley Forge Invitational. The Colonials will host the Robert Morris Invitational at the Charles L. Sewall Center Friday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 16, as part of the University's Homecoming festivities. The matches will be the final NCAA Division I events to be held at "The Chuck."
 
Scouting The Opponents
Siena has compiled a record of 0-5 to start its 2017 campaign. The Saint opened their season at the Syracuse Tournament (8/25-26), falling to the host Orange, Grand Canyon and Colgate. Siena also has dropped 3-0 decisions on the road @ Rutgers (8/30) and @ Binghamton (9/5).
 
Navy has started its 2017 season with a record of 6-1. In the its home event to open the year, the Kristen Dickmann Invitational (8/25-26), Navy posted a perfect 3-0 record, earning wins over Akron, Saint Francis U and Maryland-Eastern Shore. Navy also posted a 3-1 home win over Air Force (8/30) before going 2-1 at the Ball State Invitational (9/1-2).
 
La Salle has opened its season with a mark of 7-1. Since dropping a 3-2 decision @ Bucknell (8/25) as part of the Bucknell Invitational, the Explorers own a seven-match winning streak. Included in that stretch is a 3-0 mark in the Akron Invitational (9/1-2), with wins over Tennessee Tech, Loyola (Md.) and the host Zips.
 
About Robert Morris
The Colonials were predicted to finish in fifth-place in the 2017 NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. RMU missed qualifying for its 18th consecutive NEC Tournament by just one game last season. In each of the last 18 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.
 
MUSKET SHOTS
 
Lord Of The Dance
Junior outside hitter Taylor Lord matched her career-high with 21 kills @ Youngstown State (8/29) while hitting at a .314 clip. Her 23 digs against the Penguins also marked the eighth time in her career that she totaled 20-plus digs in a match. On the 2017 campaign, Lord has recorded three double-doubles and ranks ninth in the NEC with 3.19 digs per set.
 
Ace Ventura
Robert Morris enters the Valley Forge Sports Invitational tied for third in NCAA Division I in service aces with 57 in 33 sets. Belmont also owns 57 service aces in 32 sets. Leading the country is Fordham (65), while one of RMU's opponents this weekend, La Salle, ranks second with 62. Individually, freshman middle blocker Emma Granger is one of 16 student-athletes that have recorded 13 service aces so far this season, which is tied for 23rd in Division I.
 
Granger Lauded As NEC Prime Performer
Emma Granger has been honored as an NEC Prime Performer each of the first two weeks of the season, as the rookie middle blocker is quickly establishing herself at the collegiate level. She leads the Colonials in kills (89), attack percentage (.358), blocks (28) and service aces (13).
 
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