INDIANAPOLIS – Heading into their final weekend of the regular season, the IUPUI volleyball team (11-18, 7-7) will take to the road to face Western Illinois (4-26, 1-13) Friday (Nov. 11), followed by Oral Roberts (14-14, 6-8) Saturday (Nov. 12).  The pair of contests will be crucial in deciding the rankings heading into the Summit League Tournament.
 
The Jags have already punched their ticket to the Summit League Championships, set to be held in Denver, Colorado (Nov. 18-20).  As a matter of fact, that top six teams in the Summit League have already decided which programs will make the trip to the tournament, as South Dakota State, Omaha and Western Illinois have already been eliminated from contention.  At this point, the primary focus of Head Coach Steve Payne and his squad will be to secure the best seed possible prior to the beginning of the tournament. 
 
Currently sitting in fifth-place in League standings, the Jags find themselves just one game ahead of Oral Roberts in the standings.  The Jags will have to defeat Oral Roberts in their matchup to hold onto the fifth-seed, otherwise the Jags risk falling to the bottom ranking for the tourney. 
 
All-time, the Jags hold a strong advantage over the Leathernecks, topping Western Illinois 27 times in 36 matches.  IUPUI has struggled, however, against Oral Roberts, winning just six times to 32 losses.  The Jags have particularly struggled mightily when playing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as IUPUI last topped the Golden Eagles on the road during the 2009 season.  That marked the only time the Jags have beaten ORU at home, as IUPUI is 1-20 on the road against the southern foes.  The Jags topped Oral Roberts in four sets at home earlier this season (Oct. 14). 
 
The primary focal point for the Jaguar defense will continue to be Laura Milos, the outside hitter for the Golden Eagles who leads the Summit League with 544 kills.  Kori Waelbroeck of IUPUI ranks fourth, clubbing 360 kills on the year. 
 
The Jags recently concluded their final home matches of the 2016 season, honoring seniors Alexis Mapes, Logan Walling and Abby Horn in their home finale.  The trio will look to will the Jags to a deep run in the Summit League Tournament.
 
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