Morgan State University Athletics

Morgan State Notes

BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept. 2, 2014)-After opening up the 2014 season last week in Charlotte, N.C., the Lady Bears' volleyball team returns to the 'Old North State', as they take part in the East Carolina Invitational (Sept. 5-6) this weekend in Greenville, N.C. Morgan State (1-3) will begin the two-day tournament on Friday, with its lone match of the day coming against UNC Wilmington at 10 a.m. The Lady Bears will then close out the tournament on Saturday with two non-conference matches against Tennessee Tech at 10 a.m., followed by a 7 p.m. match against host East Carolina. All matches will be played at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
 
MSU AGAINST THE FIELD: This will be the fourth meeting between Morgan State and UNC Wilmington (3-1) with the Seahawks holding a commanding 3-0 series lead...Tennessee Tech (0-3) and Morgan State will meet for just the second time, as the Golden Eagles won the series' previous lone meeting…Host East Carolina (0-0) and the Lady Bears will meet for the second consecutive year and the seventh overall. The Pirates hold a 4-2 all-time series lead heading into Saturday's finale.
 
NEXT UP: The Lady Bears will travel to Providence, R.I. next week to compete in the 10th Annual Friar Classic (Sept. 12-13). Morgan State will open up with a single match on Friday against host Providence at 7 p.m., before closing out with matches against Quinnipiac at 12:30 p.m. and Fairleigh Dickinson at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
 
FOLLOW THE LADY BEARS ON TWITTER: Fans of Morgan State volleyball can follow the Lady Bears on Twitter. Check out regular updates on the team which will feature live tweets from games and on road trips. To follow the Morgan State Athletics Twitter page visit Twitter.com/MorganStBears.
 
THAT'S A FIRST: The Lady Bears' 3-1 victory over Sacramento State (Aug. 30) on Day 2 of the Charlotte Invitational, was Morgan State's first win ever over the Hornets in the series' four meetings.
 
OPENING SERVE: Morgan State is 8-14 in season openers since the 1993 season, after dropping this year's opener to East Tennessee State (8/29) at the Charlotte Invitational. The Lady Bears, who have now lost three consecutive season openers, last won an opening day match in 2011 when they defeated Saint Peter's 3-0 at the La Salle Invitational (8/26/11).
 
HAYDEN EARNS ALL-CHARLOTTE INVITATIONAL HONORS: The Lady Bears' Arianna Hayden was named to the Charlotte Invitational All-Tournament team on Saturday, Aug. 30. A junior from Chicago, Ill., Hayden tied a team-high 37 kills, while adding 24 digs, six blocks and three service aces in four matches. She totaled 11 kills, sight digs and four blocks in a 3-1 victory over Sacramento State (Aug. 30). It was Morgan State's first win over the Hornets in the series' four meetings.
 
TRACKING SMITH: Senior Zuri Smith entered the season ranked 11th all-time at Morgan State with 177 career blocks. A native of Inglewood, Calif., Smith tallied four blocks, giving her 181 for her career. Smith is 17 blocks away from passing former Lady Bear, Dorothy Buford (197 blocks from 1997-00) for ninth place.
 
RETURN TRIPS: The Morgan State volleyball team will make return trips for the second consecutive year to compete in both the East Carolina Invitational in Greenville, N.C. (Sept. 5-6) and the 10th Annual Friar Classic in Providence, R.I. (Sept. 12-13). Last season the Lady Bears struggled at the East Carolina tournament, going 1-2. Two weeks later Morgan State recorded a 2-1 record while in Providence, and finished in second-place.