Bradley Volleyball Hosts CEFCU Invitational

Volleyball 9/14/2017 11:30:00 AM

PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley Volleyball will host in-season tournaments on back-to-back weekends for the first time in program history, following up last week's CEFCU Classic with the 2017 CEFCU Invitational Friday and Saturday at Renaissance Coliseum.

The tournament features eight matches over two days as the Braves kick off the event Friday at 10 a.m. against South Dakota State. Friday's action also includes a 12:30 p.m. contest between UConn and UMKC along with a 3:30 p.m. matchup of Grand Canyon and South Dakota State. Bradley concludes the opening day at 6 p.m. against UConn.

Saturday's action gets under way with UConn facing Grand Canyon at 9:30 a.m. The Braves follow at 12:30 p.m. against UMKC and the Roos will have a short turnaround before taking the court at 3:30 p.m. to face South Dakota State. Bradley wraps up the two-day event Saturday at 6 p.m. against Grand Canyon in the final non-conference match of 2017 for the Braves.

Both of Bradley's matches (South Dakota State & UConn) on Friday along with Saturday's 12:30 p.m. tilt against UMKC will be available on ESPN3 as part of The Valley On ESPN3 and can be viewed through WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app.

The CEFCU Invitational is part of a busy 2017 Homecoming Weekend at Bradley. Saturday's 12:30 p.m. match vs. UMKC will mark the annual "Cram The Coliseum" game. The Bradley University Parents' Association will host a pre-game tailgate and pep rally on the Alumni Quad located directly south of Renaissance Coliseum. Tickets for food at the tailgate, which starts at 11 a.m. and includes a barbecue, are available for $10 in advance and $15 the day of the event. For more information visit bradley.edu/familyweekend or to reserve your ticket for the tailgate call (309) 677-3050.

In addition, the Bradley University Parents' Association will be distributing water bottles to the first 600 fans in attendance at the match against UMKC (12:30 p.m.) and kids will be able to play in a bounce house courtesy of Fun on the Run at the Saturday afternoon match with the Roos.

Bradley's opponents have combined for 59-39 (.608) record through Sunday and the Braves have played seven consecutive contests against teams with winning records. During that seven-match stretch, opponents own a 47-23 (.671) mark, which includes a 34-14 (.708) record for the last five foes. Bradley has won at least one set in eight consecutive matches, something the Braves last did in the final 10 matches of 2013 and this season's three five-set matches has already surpassed last season's total.

Junior Erica Haslag entered the week second in the nation in total points and her career-best 32.0 points Saturday against Illinois-Chicago marked the highest point total by a Bradley player under the 25-point set format (since 2008). In fact, Haslag's 32 points were the most by a Brave since 2006. She was second in total kills in the country through Sept. 10 in addition to ranking 11th in the nation in kills per set (4.90).

The CEFCU Invitational wraps up the 2017 non-conference schedule for the Braves, who will try to surpass last year's non-conference win total of five. Bradley's last season with more than five non-conference victories was 2013 (6).

Following the weekend tournament, Bradley concludes the longest home stand in program history (10 matches) with the first two Missouri Valley Conference matches of 2017. The Braves host Southern Illinois Friday, Sept. 22 and preseason Valley favorite Missouri State Saturday, Sept. 23 with both matches starting at 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Erica Haslag: OH; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Erica Haslag
: 5' 11"; Junior
: OH

Bradley Volleyball Hosts CEFCU Invitational

Players Mentioned

#3 Erica Haslag

Players Mentioned

#3 Erica Haslag