The Owls kick off the Temple Invitational Friday afternoon with their first match against Central Connecticut, looking to win their second home match of the season.

Temple enters the match 7-4 coming off a straight-set sweep over New Jersey Institute of Technology on Wednesday night to kick off an eight-game home stand.

Coach Bakeer Ganes has stressed for several weeks that the offense is trying to get junior outside hitter Gabriella Matautia more involved. Wednesday night she dropped 12 kills against the Highlanders, tying fellow junior outside hitter Elyse Burkert.

Ganes expects a tough match from the Blue Devils, despite their 5-5 record.

“Central Connecticut usually is pretty solid,” he said. “I think it really comes down to what we’re going to do on our side. We really have to take care of our business.”

The match starts at 4 p.m. in McGonigle Hall.

-Jake Adams