FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team heads to the Palmetto State this weekend for three matches at the Buc Dome Invitational, hosted by Charleston Southern in Charleston, S.C.

SHU AT BUC DOME INVITATIONAL MATCH INFORMATION 
Match 1: Sacred Heart vs. Norfolk State – Friday, September 20; 10:00 a.m. 
Match 2: Sacred Heart at Charleston Southern – Friday, September 20; 6:30 p.m. 
Match 3: Sacred Heart vs. Western Illinois – Saturday, September 21; 11:00 a.m.  

LAST TIME OUT
Sacred Heart last competed at the Black Knights Invitational, hosted by Army. The Pioneers challenged non-conference foes Bryant, Hofstra and Army. SHU took both the Bulldogs and Black Knights to four sets after winning the opening frame but suffered a straight-set defeat to Hofstra.

AWARDS MAGNET
As has become a regular occurrence this season, SHU collected another weekly award from the MAAC on Tuesday. Miliani Villarreal won her third Libero of the Week award after a strong showing at the Black Knights Invitational. The first year from Murrieta, Calif., led the Pioneers with 45 digs (4.09/set) and was second with 21 assists (1.91/set) at the event. 

For the season, the Pioneers have collected seven weekly awards. Villarreal paces the team with five (3 LOW, 2 ROW). Camryn Luginbuhl and Gaby Zovko have also been honored, as Luginbuhl is a one-time Player of the Week and Zovko is a one-time Setter of the Week. 

LOOKING ACROSS THE NET
Norfolk State

• The Spartans head into Friday's opener with a 3-6 overall record after halting a six-match skid with a win over Hampton in its most recent match. 
• Norfolk State dominated its local rival, outhitting the Pirates .299-to-.154. 
• Sophomore outside hitter Gabrielle Gilbert has been the team's best offensive player, as she leads the MEAC in points per set (4.82), aces per set (0.52) and total aces (16).
• Gilbert also paces the Spartans in total kills with 129 and points with 149.5. 
• Junior setter Sydney McCree and Gilbert have created a formidable duo, as McCree is first in the MEAC in total assists (281) and assists per set (9.06).  
• McCree assisted on 281 of the team's 356 kills (78.9%) this season. 

Charleston Southern 

• The hosting Buccaneers are 3-7 going into their tournament after being swept in three straight matches. 
• Two of Charleston Southern's three wins came against Furman, while the other was against Tennessee State. 
• CSU's most recent match was a convincing loss to crosstown rival the College of Charleston this past Tuesday. 
• Sophomore middle blocker Brenna Rowland commands the Bucs' defense with 39.0 total blocks on 12 solo blocks and 27 assisted blocks. 
• On the other side of the ball, junior outside hitter Skylar Yates paces the offense with 123 kills (3.42/set). 
• Yates tallied 10-plus kills in six of the last seven matches, including a career-high 23 against Chattanooga. 

Western Illinois

• The Leathernecks are 3-5 through eight matches this season, sweeping Belmont in their most recent conrest. 
• Western Illinois also owns wins over Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Illinois in four sets. 
• Senior libero Karli Wenzel has been one of the best at her position in the country, as she paces Division I in digs per set (5.71) and is 17th in total digs (177). 
• Senior outside hitter Keyana Cruse has been the team's best attacker, ranking 15th in the country in kills per set (4.52) and 34th in total kills (140). 
• Cruse has also been exceptional on defense, ranking second on the team in digs per set (4.55). 
• Cruse tallied double-doubles in her first five matches of the season.