WASHINGTON - The last non-conference match of the season has American University volleyball hosting nearby rival Howard at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12. The Eagles are strong at home this season with a record of 8-1, and are coming off three straight wins.

QUICK INFO 

• Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct. 12 / 6 p.m.
• Team Records: American (12-8, 4-4 PL), Howard (9-7, 3-1 MEAC)
• Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena) 
• Ticket Info: AUEagles.com/Tickets
• TV: ESPN+ 
• Talent: Dan Laing (pxp), Sam Danai (analyst)

ENHANCED CONCESSIONS AT BENDER ARENA 

• AU Athletics has partnered with Gregorio's Trattoria to provide an enhanced concessions menu for all home volleyball matches this season in Bender Arena.
• Fans can enjoy Gregorio's favorites including menu selections of pizza, Italian sausage and peppers, hot and cold sub sandwiches and wraps, chicken fingers, hot dogs, chips, desserts and more, as well as a full selection of refreshing Pepsi products.
• Credit cards are accepted.
• NO outside food or beverages are permitted into Bender Arena. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• American leads Howard 35-3 all-time and has won four straight against the Bison.
• The most recent win in the series for Howard was a 3-2 decision on a neutral court (George Mason) in 2016.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN

• The Eagles are 8-1 at home, with the lone loss coming in five sets against Bucknell on Oct. 1.
• AU has won three straight heading into Wednesday's match, and will have a full eight days off between this match and the next PL match on Oct. 21.
• Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year Zeynep Uzen, who ranks second in the Patriot League with 4.15 kills per set, left the Bucknell match with an ankle injury midway through the first set and has not played since. Uzen currently has 1,080 kills to rank 13th all-time in program history.
• Graduate student Carlie Fikse is fifth in the PL with a hitting percentage of .292, senior Inbal Peleg is seventh in the league with 6.92 assists per set, junior Maya Mrus is sixth with 0.36 aces per set,and senior Onuchi Ndee is fifth with 0.95 blocks per set.
• The Eagles started the season at 6-0, but their 1-3 start in Patriot League play was the worst since joining the league in 2001. American currently ranks in a three-way tie for fourth in the PL standings with a record of 4-4.

SCOUTING HOWARD

• Howard is the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champions after going 18-13 last year and 12-2 in conference play.
• The Bison have won three straight to improve to 3-1 in their conference, most recently sweeping Morgan State 3-0 and beating Coppin State 3-1.
• Jennifer Bolden posted 18 kills in a 3-1 win at Maryland Eastern Shore on Sept. 25, and leads the team with 143 kills. Dami Awojobi is right up there as well with 112 kills (a team-leading 2.60 kills per set).
• Setter Kayla Diaz has been a key piece to the Bison success, excelling in three statistical categories: 584 total assists (team-leading); 23 aces (team-high) and 116 total digs.
• Libero Essence Bell leads the Bison with 209 total digs (3.87 digs per set).

SEASON & SINGLE-MATCH TICKETS ON SALE 

• Season tickets as well as individual match tickets to all home contests to be played inside Bender Arena this season are on sale via AUeagles.com/Tickets. 
• Save over 70% percent off by purchasing a season ticket pass. 
• Group tickets are also available for advance purchase for teams and groups of 10+ by calling (202) 885-TIXX.
• Transitioning To Mobile Tickets - Pre-Purchase Tickets at AUeagles.com.
• This season, AU Athletics will be transitioning to digital contactless e-tickets for the health and safety of our entire AU community and to further advance AU's sustainability and zero waste commitments. Digital tickets give fans more control in the management of tickets including the ability to forward/share ticket(s) with friends and family. You may either present digital tickets on a smart phone device or download and pre-print ticket(s) at home with a valid QR code to be scanned on entry to our venues. Thank you for your help and cooperation.

HOW TO WATCH ESPN+ 

• A subscription to ESPN+ is available for purchase via ESPN.com, ESPNPlus.com, or the ESPN App. Fans can access ESPN+ content only after they have subscribed. To subscribe, click here. It costs $69.99/month or $99.99/year. 

KEEP UP WITH US

• For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).