EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Purple Aces head coach Mike Swan and his squad return to former territory as Evansville will participate in the Morehead State Tournament this weekend.
 
Swan coached at Morehead State from 1998-2002 prior to becoming the head coach for the University of Evansville in 2003.
 
Last weekend, the Aces traveled across the country to play in the Wildcat Classic on the campus of the University of Arizona.  The Aces fell to the host Wildcats in the opener, but quickly regrouped just a few hours later to register their first win over the season. 
 
Sophomore Ashley Ring and junior Katie Klages were recognized for their efforts out west by being named to the All-Tournament Team.  Ring averaged 15.33 kills per match, including a career-high of 19 in the win over Utah Valley State.  She also tallied 15 digs in that contest.  Klages showed her prowess on the defensive side of the court, notching 16 digs against Arizona before notching 22 in the win over Utah Valley State and 11 versus Cal State Northridge.
 
Morehead State enters the weekend with an 0-4 mark.  The Eagles opened the year at the Active Ankle Challenge in Louisville last weekend, falling to Penn State, Louisville and Western Kentucky.  MSU also fell to Xavier in its home opener on Tuesday.
 
Alabama A&M also comes into the tournament with an 0-4 record.  The Bulldogs went winless at the Belmont Invitational, falling to Belmont, TCU and Northern Colorado before falling in a sweep at Alabama on Tuesday.
 
The final opponent for the Aces will be Northern Kentucky.  The Norse are a perfect 4-0 in 2012, taking top honors in the Western Carolina Invitational.  They defeated St. Peter’s, Western Carolina and North Carolina A&T before winning a road contest at Wright State earlier this week.
 
Evansville opens the tournament at Noon on Friday against Alabama A&M before taking on Morehead State at 6 p.m.  They wrap up the tournament against the Norse at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.  Following the tournament, the Aces will come back to the Carson Center for their home opener versus Murray State on Tuesday at 7 p.m.