MATCHES 5-8: TRUMAN AT WESTMINSTER INVITATIONAL
	Truman Bulldogs 2018 Record: 3-1 Coach: Ben Briney, 10th season Roster | Schedule | Statistics
	Minnesota State Mavericks 2018 Record: 4-0 Coach: Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth, Fourth season Roster | Schedule | Statistics
	Fort Lewis Skyhawks 2018 Record: 0-0 Coach: Tricia Melfy, First season Roster | Schedule | Statistics
	Westminster Griffins 2018 Record: 1-3 Coach: Al Givens, Fifth season Roster | Schedule | Statistics
	Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps 2018 Record: 2-2 Coach: Jennifer Lawrence, 15th season Roster | Schedule | Statistics
	Match Information When? August 31, 2018 | 10:30 a.m. August 31, 2018 | 6 p.m. September 1, 2018 | 1 p.m. September 1, 2018 | 6 p.m. Where? Westminster Invitational Salt Lake City, Utah | Behnken Field House Follow Along Watch | Live Stats Twitter Truman Athletics | #BewareOfDog | Truman Volleyball

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Fresh off a hot start to its 2018 season, the Truman State University volleyball team heads west for four matches in two days as part of the Westminster Invitational. Until this past week, 2013 was the last time the Bulldogs won three of their first four matches to begin the year. The Purple and White swept a ranked opponent for the first time since Sept. 20, 2014 when it happened vs. No. 20 West Texas A&M. That campaign also marked the last time the Bulldogs recorded multiple wins over ranked opponents, but it only took them four matches to do so this year.

National Spotlight
For the first time since ranking as high as No. 23 (three times) during the 2014 season, Truman's 3-1 start to 2018 has garnered some national attention. Monday afternoon, the Bulldogs received 59 votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) top 25 week one poll, which was good for 30th in all of Division II.

Unknown Territory
Aside from nine all-time matchups with Minnesota State (none since 2012) and a 3-5-1 record in those meetings, Truman doesn't have much history with its opponents on Friday and Saturday. The Bulldogs have faced Fort Lewis once (won 3-1 in 1987), but have never laced them up against Westminster or Lubbock Christian. The Mavericks have yet to lose a set this fall and the Skyhawks are making their debut on Friday while the Griffins are 1-3 and the Lady Chaps sit at .500 at 2-2.

Savvy Veteran
For the first time ever, a Truman State University volleyball setter was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference's Offensive Player of the Week. Savvy Hughes also became the first Bulldog to receive the honor since Kayla Bastian on Oct. 20, 2014 and first Truman setter to garner weekly recognition since Meghan Zimmerman on Oct. 22, 2012 (MIAA Specialist of the Week). The senior leader led the entire Peggy Martin Challenge (Central Missouri) in hitting percentage as a setter (!!!). Hughes sent home 24 kills with just four errors on 47 total attacks for a blistering hitting percentage of .426. Not only that, but the Lee's Summit, Mo. native was also second in assists per set with 10.93 (153 total) and tied for fourth in service aces per set with 0.36 (five total).

One Cool Kaat
After a freshman campaign as a middle hitter in 2017 that saw Ellie Kaat appear in 20 matches, the Cedar Grove, Wis. native has since made the move to outside hitter and looks to be flourishing. After four matches, Kaat is showing no signs of a sophomore slump with a team high 45 kills, which are 12 more than the next-closest Bulldog. Highlighting those 45 kills were a career high 19 in the third match of the year against Central Missouri, eight more than her previous personal best.

Natalie the Natural
Aside from Savvy Hughes, there may not be a more important member of Truman's 2018 lineup than fellow senior, Natalie Brimeyer. Brimeyer was at it again with 33 kills (2.36 per set) on opening weekend to go with 12 errors on 84 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .250. The North Liberty, Iowa native's first match of her last season in the Purple and White was pretty special as she sent home 14 kills to just five errors on 31 swings (.290 hitting percentage) against 2017 NCAA runner-up and No. 4-ranked Florida Southern.

Up Next
Next up, Truman will open up GLVC play with No. 3 Lewis (7 p.m.) and Indianapolis (2 p.m.) on Friday and Saturday, both of which will be on the road. Live stats and GLVCSN coverage will be available for both of those matches right here at TrumanBulldogs.com.

#BewareOfDog