TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State volleyball launches its first official matches this Friday and Saturday with four matches in Joplin, Missouri.   The RiverHawks will open things up with Missouri S&T at 9 a.m. on Friday, then face Southeastern Oklahoma at 1 p.m.  On Saturday, NSU will face Southwest Baptist at 11 a.m. and then close out the trip against Northwestern Oklahoma at 5 p.m.

NSU's lone action came on Monday with a four-set exhibition at Oral Roberts.  Poliana Lazarini led the RiverHawks with nine kills and 10.5 points, while Paige Miller added eight kills and 12 points. Bhatte finished with nine assists, three service aces and nine digs. Sydney Dunkleberger recorded a team-high 11 assists, while Lazarini and Jordyn Berger each posted nine digs.

The RiverHawks won the third frame thanks to a 9-0 run and never trailed. Tiyana Bhatte's serving helped spark the early surge, while Lazarini contributed a pair of kills during the opening stretch. NSU maintained its advantage throughout the set and closed out the 25-17 victory, giving the program its first set win against another collegiate team.

NSU finished the exhibition with 30 kills, 27 assists, 47 digs and seven blocks.

All four matches will be streamed through The MIAA Network, with live scoring found on GoRiverHawksGo.com/coverage.