Game 4  ·  American (2-1) vs. Winthrop (3-0)  ·  Friday, Sept. 6  ·  12:30 p.m.
Live Video / Live Stats
Game 5  ·  American (2-1) vs. Ohio (1-3)  ·  Friday, Sept. 6  ·  7 p.m.
Live Video / Live Stats
Game 6  ·  American (2-1) vs. Temple (3-0)  ·  Saturday, Sept. 7  ·  2 p.m.
Live Video / Live Stats
Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
All-Time Records: Temple vs. Winthrop: 0-0; Temple vs. Ohio: 0-0: Temple leads American, 4-2 

WASHINGTON - The first home weekend of the 2019 season for American University volleyball has the Eagles hosting Ohio, Temple and Winthrop for the American Volleyball Classic on Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7. All three of AU's matches will be streamed live on the Patriot League Network, with the AU-Temple match (2 p.m. on Saturday) also available on Stadium's over-the-top (OTT) outlets.

AU Notes

• The Eagles are coming off a 2-1 opening weekend at George Washington's DC Challenge. AU posted 3-1 wins over both GW and Howard before falling 3-1 to Hartford in the final match.
• Junior outside hitter Helena Elbaek, named the DC Challenge MVP, led AU with three double-doubles in three matches and a total of 78 kills (6.50 kills/set) for the weekend. Her 34 kills vs. Howard were a career-high, as were her 15 digs in that match. 
• Freshman middle hitter Onuchi Ndee joined Elbaek on the All-Tournament Team after averaging 3.30 kills per set and leading AU with 10 total blocks.
• Senior libero Kristen Largay posted a team-best 40 digs (4.44 digs/set) over the first three matches.
• Elbaek was a 2019 Patriot League Preseason All-League selection and leads a group of returners and newcomers looking to fill the void left by the graduation of three-time AVCA All-Region and Patriot League Player of the Year Aleksandra Kazala.
• AU was picked to finish first in the 2019 Patriot League Preseason Poll in a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. The Eagles have dominated the PL since joining in 2001, winning 15 tournament titles in 18 years.

Winthrop Notes

• Winthrop has an unblemished 3-0 record to start the season after going unbeaten at its own Christi Curtis Invitational against Morehead State, Davidson, and NC A&T.
• The Eagles are coming off a 16-14 record last season, which included an 11-5 mark in the Big South.
• Nikkia Benitez leads Winthrop's offense with 2.46 kills per set, adding 3.08 digs per frame. Sydney Gunter is second on the team with 2.08 kills per set.
• Libero Hannah Lackney leads Winthrop with 4.00 digs per set, while Morgan Bossler is averaging a team-best 1.00 blocks per set.

Ohio Notes

• Ohio enters the weekend with a 1-3 overall record, going 1-2 at the Green Bay Invite before falling to No. 17 Purdue, 3-1.
• The Bobcats finished 13-18 a season ago, including a 7-9 mark in the MAC.
• Lizzie Stephens is the early kills leader for Ohio, averaging 2.67 per set, while Olivia Margolies and Lauren Park each add 2.50 kills per set.
• Macy Reihing (3.80 digs/set) and Dahlias Bouyer (1.13 blocks/set) shore up the Bobcats' defense. 

Temple Notes

• Temple enters the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record to start the season. The Owls won the UMBC Invitational with back-to-back-to-back 3-0 sweeps, topping Fairfield, Lafayette, and UMBC.
• Sophomore Gem Grimshaw and junior Averi Salvador were each named to the All-Tournament team at UMBC.
• Grimshaw led Temple's offense with 3.78 kills per set, also adding 1.11 blocks and 2.00 digs per frame, while Salvador topped the Owls defense with 5.78 digs per set.
• As a team, Temple hits a conference-best .310, holding opponents to a .0.97 attack so far this season.

Tickets

• Tickets to all AU volleyball matches at Bender Arena are available throughout the season.
• Bring a group of 10+ and save over 40 percent off your purchase, available at $3 per person
• Individual game tickets are available for $8 for adults, $5 for general admission, youth under 17 and seniors over 65. Military members, veterans and AU students are invited to join the Eagles for free admission with valid ID.
• CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS 
• For inquiries, e-mail clawed@american.edu or call 202.885.TIXX (8499).

For the latest on American University Volleyball, check in with AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter @AU_Volleyball.