EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After weeks of preparation, the Purple Aces volleyball team will get its 2012 campaign underway as it travels to the Wildcat Classic, which will be hosted by the University of Arizona on Friday and Saturday.
 
Evansville officially opens up the season at 12:30 p.m. Friday against the Wildcats before facing Utah Valley State later in the day at 6:30 p.m.  A tilt against Cal State Northridge will mark the third and final game of the tournament at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
 
The Aces will be looking to build on last season’s 14-19 mark as eight players return.  While the loss of seniors Ellen Sawin, Brooke Maher, Kaisi Nixon and April Lubrecht will be noticeable, UE has several players ready to step up, led by seniors Jessica Knackmuhs and Hannah Wilson.
 
In the middle, UE returns Rachel Tenhoor, who led the team with 97 blocks last year along with MVC All-Freshman Team member Ashley Ring.  Katie Klages returns as the starting libero while fellow junior Lauren Seyller begins her second season at UE as an outside hitter after transferring from Ohio U.  Meaghan Holmes also enters her second season with the Aces and will be playing outside hitter.  Junior Jenn Murphy will look to get more time at the setter position following Sawin’s graduation.
 
Four newcomers will be set to make their freshmen debuts for UE as Kim Deprez, Stephanie Cerino, Lauren Robertson and Emma Roberson will battle for playing time this season.
 
Arizona will mark the season-opening opponent for UE as they face the Wildcats at 12:30 p.m.  The teams met in UE’s tournament last season with the Wildcats taking a 3-1 win.  The Wildcats went 19-13 in 2011 en route to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Michigan State in the first round of play.
 
Things do not get an easier as later in the day, UE will take on Utah Valley State.  The Wolverines are coming off of a 23-9 campaign in 2011, which marked a school record for wins.  They fell just one match short of advancing to the NCAA’s, falling to North Dakota in the Great West Conference Championship.
 
Evansville wraps up the Wildcat Classic on Saturday morning against Cal State Northridge.  The Matadors went 16-13 last season finishing the year on a 5-2 stretch.
 
After its opening weekend, Evansville will be closer to home next weekend, traveling to Morehead, Ky. for the Morehead State Tournament.  UE head coach Mike Swan formerly coached the Eagles prior to coming to Evansville.