WILMINGTON, North Carolina - The UNCW volleyball team begins its second season under Head Coach Amy Bambenek this weekend as it takes part in the High Point Classic at the Millis Center.
The Seahawks are scheduled to face the host Panthers Friday at 7 p.m. before squaring off against Appalachian State (11:30 a.m.) and North Carolina A&T (4:30 p.m.) on Saturday. Live stats are available for all three matches while pay-per-view video is available for the match against the Panthers. They can be accessed by clicking on the live stats and video streaming links above.
UNCW welcomes back three starters and 10 letterwinners from last season's squad that recorded the program's highest win total since the 1996 season. In addition to the 10 returning letterwinners, the Seahawks welcome six newcomers into the mix for the upcoming season.
Senior Rachel Caricato and junior Kimberly Friedl return to highlight the team's attack as Caricato averaged 1.50 kills per set and ranked second on team with 22 service aces during her junior campaign.
Friedl, meanwhile, averaged 1.69 kills per set and finished among the league leaders with a .262 attack percentage. Friedl will also be counted on to play a key role in the team's defense efforts this year as she was third in the CAA in blocks per set with 1.08.
The Seahawks will once again rely on the setter tandem of junior Kelsey Bendig and sophomore Natalie LaHaie to quarterback the team's attack after the duo combined to average 9.55 assists per set last season.
Junior defensive specialist Delanie Dolan is expected to move into the libero role after the graduation of Ashlyn Morris, who finished her career last season as the program's all-time leader in digs (1,516). Last season, Dolan averaged 1.38 digs per set in 50 games played as a defensive specialist.
High Point returns 11 players from the 2009 team that posted a 17-17 record in its first season under coach Jason Oliver. Senior outside hitter Megan Smith is back to guide the Panthers attack after leading the team with 3.20 kills per set and 40 service aces. Senior libero Julie Hershkowitz, High Point's all-time digs leader and a 2010 Big South Preseason All-Conference team selection, returns to guide the Panthers defensive efforts after averaging 5.20 digs per set a year ago.
Appalachian State brings back four starters and nine letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 14-17 overall record and qualified for the four-team Southern Conference championship. Junior setter Kasey Sauls is back in the lineup after leading the Mountaineers in assists per set (9.38) and ranking second in digs per set (2.38) as a sophomore. Senior middle blocker Caroline Sedon will be counted on to give ASU a solid presence in the middle after posting a .209 attack percentage while leading the squad in blocks per set (1.34) last season.
North Carolina A&T enters the 2010 season as one of the youngest programs in the country as nine freshman make up a overwhelming majority of the Aggies' 11-player roster for the 2010 season. Second year Head Coach Toni Conway will rely heavily upon the experience of returning players senior Amber Inman and sophomore Andrea Evans. Playing out of position last season due to personnel issues, Inman served as the Aggies setter and averaged 6.95 assists and 1.76 digs per set while Evans tallied five kills and five total blocks in limited action.
UNCW returns home after its appearance at the High Point Classic to host the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott Tournament Sept. 3-4. The Seahawks will welcome Central Florida, South Carolina State and UNC Greensboro to the Port City for the two-day event.
