Five Things to Watch at the Nike Invitational.

Aug. 23, 2012

NORMAN, Okla. - The OU volleyball team opens its 2012 campaign at home, as it plays host to the 2012 Nike Invitational Friday and Saturday at McCasland Field House. Three teams will travel to Norman in Missouri State, Western Michigan and Missouri State for the two-day invitational.

The Sooners will take to the court three times throughout the course of the weekend, facing Missouri State Friday at 7 p.m., Western Michigan Saturday at noon and closing out the invitational against Tulsa Saturday night at 7 p.m.

Below are five things to watch this weekend as the Sooners close out pre-season training and look to build off 2011 season that saw them print their names in the record books.

1. Maria Fernanda
One-of-two seniors on the 2012 squad, Fernanda enters her senior season as the program's leading digs record-holder with 1,648 overall digs in her three-year career. With that number, she is the only active player in the Big 12 to rank in the top-10 of conference career leaders in eight categories, and one of two OU players on the list, joining Joanna Schmitt (2003-06) who ranks fourth in attack attempts (4,971) and ninth in kills (1,730).

2. Moving On Up
Returning junior AVCA honorable mention All-American, Sallie McLaurin, has made a name for herself in the OU volleyball program as she continues to stamp her name in the record books. Following a sophomore campaign that saw the 6-2 middle blocker take home Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, McLaurin ranks third in hitting percentage (.326) and seventh in solo blocks (55).

Game 1 vs. Nebraska: Friday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. CT
Live Stats | Twitter (@SoonerVB)

3. Lid Lifters
The University of Oklahoma has a 17-21 record in season-openers, including a 6-2 record under head coach Santiago Restrepo. In home openers, the Sooners hold a 24-14 advantage. Since Restrepo has taken over the OU program in 2004, the Sooners have recorded a 6-2 record when taking to the court for the home-opener.

Success in Norman has been a part of the program since it first began, as Oklahoma has recorded a 276-187 (.596) record on its home court. Under the directions of Restrepo, the Sooners carry a .642 win percentage on their home court with a 70-39 record.

4. Season Showdown
In its last match of 2011, Oklahoma faced Tulsa in the NCAA Championship First Round in Lost Angeles, Calif. The Golden Hurricanes defeated the sooners in four sets 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 22-25, 19-25) to progress in the tournament. It seems only fitting that the two teams meet again in the first weekend of the 2012 season.

The two teams will take to the court in the final match-up of the 2012 Nike Invitational. In 35 total meetings since 1975, OU has claimed 33 wins and tallied only two losses.

5. Tickets and Promotions
Season tickets are on sale now for purchase online and by phone (800-456-GoOU). Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children and senior citizens. Single-game tickets are also on sale and will also be available at the box-office one hour before the start of the match. Below is a look at some of the promotions planned for this weekend:

Friday, August 24 vs. Missouri State
- Free 2012 posters & schedule cards

Saturday, August 25 vs. Western Michigan
- Free 2012 posters & schedule cards

Saturday, August 25 vs. Tulsa
- Free 2012 posters & schedule cards
- Post-match autographs

Students are eligible to participate in Sooner Nation Kickoff Weekend, where prizes will be given away at each home sporting event.