The Owls get their first serious test of the Atlantic 10 Conference season Friday when they host Xavier in McGonigle Hall.

Temple is riding a 6-0 streak at home, but the Musketeers are 2-0 in conference play and 9-7 overall, including tough losses to teams receiving votes in the polls.

The match could be a showcase of defense has the top liberos in the conference square off. Xavier senior Stephanie Vorherr is second in digs per set with 4.85 trailing only Temple’s senior Chelsea Tupuola who has 5.37 per set.

The team is ready for the challenge, where the Owls enter as an easy underdog, according to coach Bakeer Ganes.

“That’s very exciting and if you’re a competitor you want to see where you stand against these guys,” said Ganes about facing one of the conference’s top programs.

The match is set to start at 7 p.m.

–Jake Adams