MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU volleyball team is set for their home-opening Chick-Fil-A Robinson Classic Tournament featuring Coppin State, Niagara, and Duquesne. The two matches at the UPMC Events Center will take place on Friday, first RMU vs Coppin State at 11 a.m. followed by the Colonials vs Niagara at 6 p.m. RMU will battle Duquesne on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse as Duquesne is also co-hosting the tournament with the Colonials. All matches played at RMU will be streamed on ESPN+.

RMU LATELY
The Colonials are coming off a 2-1 opening weekend at UNC Greensboro in which RMU defeated Missouri State and USC Upstate. Last weekend, RMU was guided by Hillarie Adams and Natalie Stepanovich who combined for 63 kills over the three-match span. For her performance, Stepanovich was named to the Spartan Classic All-Tournament Team. Through 13 sets, the Colonials currently lead the Horizon League in service aces with 24. Ashleigh Wallin leads RMU with five aces while Ally Christman, Katie Cook, and Azra Eric each have four.
 
ALL-TIME VS. CHICK-FIL-A OPPONENTS
RMU is a perfect 10-0 against Coppin State since the series began in 1998. The last time these two schools matched up was in 2021 when the Colonials upended the Eagles in five sets. Against Niagara, RMU owns a 10-9 record while earning five of those wins at home. The previous matchup was last season when RMU defeated the Purple Eagles, 3-1. Lastly, the Colonials meet Duquesne who have faced each other every season since 1990. RMU has a 11-35 record against the Dukes with their last win during the 2022 campaign.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Coppin State enters Friday's matchup with a 2-2 record with their wins coming against Northeastern and Central Connecticut State. The Eagles are coming off an impressive 2023 season where they went 27-5 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament before losing to top-seeded Pitt in the first round.

Niagara owns a 1-2 record so far this year with their lone win coming in a 3-0 sweep over Central Connecticut State. The Purple Eagles are led by Laryssa Imbuzeiro who leads the team with 28 kills while averaging four blocks per contest.

Duquesne is going into Saturday's match with a 2-1 record with wins against Saint Francis and Morgan State. The Dukes are guided by Ariel Helm who has 18 kills this year along with a stellar 10 blocks per contest. Duquesne is looking to bounce back this season after missing the A-10 Tournament during the 2023 campaign.

UP NEXT
The Colonials will go back on the road next weekend when they travel to Charleston, S.C for the CofC Invitational. The tournament will include Utah Tech, Middle Tennessee, and the host school College of Charleston. RMU will play one match next Friday at 5 p.m. and two matches next Saturday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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