The volleyball team is off to a 4-3 start this season heading into this weekend’s Miami Invitational in Oxford, Ohio.

The Owls begin their tournament slate with Chicago State (2-7) Friday evening before taking on Indiana State (1-6) and Miami (Ohio) (1-6) on Saturday.

On paper Temple matches up well against Chicago State, coach Bakeer Ganes said. The squad sports the Atlantic 10 Conference’s best dig rate, with 16.38 per set.

“I think we definitely have the advantage over them on defense,” Ganes said. “I think we move just a little bit better on defense.”

Offensively the Owls have more weapons, led by junior outside hitter Elyse Burkert’s 4.29 kills per set.

Ganes said the Cougars’ veteran depth, despite having several transfers, makes them dangerous.

“To be honest with you I don’t really know much about them because I never played them before,” he said.

Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday.

-Jake Adams