Sooners Take Short Trip to SMU Invite

DoubleTree Invitational
Sept. 5-6 | Dallas, Texas | Moody Coliseum

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NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma gets back to action after earning its way into the AVCA Top-25 for the first time since last October. The Sooners first take the court against Texas Southern on Friday afternoon before matches with Georgia Tech and host SMU on Saturday.

1^st Rotation – About the Sooners

No. 24 Oklahoma opened the season with a pair of wins, but ultimately fell in the final match to No. 10 Florida in five sets last weekend. The Sooners (2-1) were led on the attack by redshirt-sophomore outside hitter Madison Ward. She averaged 4.25 digs per set and hit .282. Junior setter Julia Doyle put up big numbers throughout the weekend as she averaged 10.92 assists per set. Junior libero Taylor Migliazzo led the back row with a 4.17 digs per set average.

2^nd Rotation – Return to the Poll

Oklahoma comes into the weekend tied for No. 24 in the AVCA Coaches Poll with the ACC's Louisville. The Sooners last reached the Top-25 on October 28, 2013 at No. 25. Despite knocking on the door several times, it was the only ranking OU received in 2013.

3^rd Rotation –Scouting the Field

First up for Oklahoma is Texas Southern, which is 1-2 following its home tournament. Georgia Tech and SMU both enter the weekend at 2-1. The Yellow Jackets, whose only loss also came to an SEC opponent in South Carolina, are led by outside hitter Teegan Van Gunst at 3.30 kills per set. In the first weekend of play, Georgia Tech hit a collective .295, while holding opponents to .161. Senior outside hitter Caroline Young leads a Mustangs team that overcame an opening loss to San Francisco at 3.30 kills per set. As a team, SMU averaged 2.60 blocks per set.

4^th – All-Tournament Performers

Ward and Doyle each earned a spot on the Active Ankle Challenge All-Tournament Team at Florida. Ward averaged 4.25 kills per set and notched a double-double against No. 10 Florida (8/30) with 18 kills and 15 digs.

5^th Rotation – Against the Field

Overall, Oklahoma is 4-2 against teams in this weekend's field. The Sooners will face Georgia Tech for the first time on Saturday. They are 2-0 all-time against Texas Southern, having last faced the Lady Tigers at home in 2011. OU and SMU are even at 2-2 in a series that began in the Sooners' first season as they Mustangs picked up a 2-0 win in 1974.

6^th Rotation – Set 'Em Up

Doyle reached the 40-assist mark in each match on opening weekend, including a season-high 47 against Florida (8/30). For her career, she has totaled 40 or more 23 times.

Bonus – Sooner Debuts

Three newcomers made their Oklahoma debuts last weekend, including two freshmen making their collegiate debuts. Sophomore outside hitter Kimmy Gardiner, a transfer from Mississippi State, was second on the team with a 2.67 kills per set average and hit .342 in her first weekend as a Sooner. Joining her were freshmen Marion Hazelwood and Emma Kelly. Hazelwood, a middle blocker, averaged 1.83 kills per set, while the defensive specialist, Kelly, posted 10 digs in 11 sets.

1^st Rotation – About the Sooners

2^nd Rotation – Return to the Poll

3^rd Rotation –Scouting the Field

4^th – All-Tournament Performers

5^th Rotation – Against the Field

6^th Rotation – Set 'Em Up

Bonus – Sooner Debuts

Players Mentioned

Julia Doyle

Kimmy Gardiner

Marion Hazelwood

Emma Kelly

Taylor Migliazzo

Madison Ward

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