VOLLEYBALL GAMEDAY: Eckerd at Nova Southeastern Invitational

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd College volleyball team heads to Ft. Lauderdale to open up the 2015 season at the Nova Southeastern Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

COVERAGE: Live Video (Court 1 only) | Live Stats | Tournament Home

SETTING THE STAGE
After months of hard work and preparation, the Tritons finally get the chance to take the floor as the regular season opens with three matches at the Nova Southeastern Invitational.  Eckerd enters the season with high hopes as the team returns the majority of its roster from last year to go along with a strong recruiting class.  EC will play three times - once on Friday against Virginia State (2:00 PM) and twice on Saturday (Oklahoma Baptist, 11:30 AM; East Central Oklahoma, 4:30 PM)

LAST TIME THEY MET
This weekend will mark the first time that Eckerd has played any of its three opponents.

SUPER SENIORS
The Tritons only have two seniors on the roster this year, and both are going to be key contributors.  Right-side hitter Tjasa Kotnik is Eckerd's top returning hitter, averaging 2.7 kills per set, and is poised to have an even better year in her final season.  Setter Emily Schadow averaged 6.8 assists per set last season and currently ranks seventh in career assists at Eckerd with 1636.

ON THE RISE
Fourth-year head coach Michelle Piantadosi needs 10 wins to move into third place on the volleyball program's all-time wins list.  Her winning percentage of .582 currently ranks third.

SAY HELLO TO...
The Tritons welcome five newcomers to the 2015 roster.  Middle blocker JaQuayla Baker transferred from NCAA Division I DePaul (Ill.) University and has already established herself as a force in the middle.  Maiya Burns has been impressive as a left-side hitter with her jumping ability and arm speed.  Piantadosi has also been pleased with the work of freshmen defensive specialists Arielle Erillo and Haylee Bilbray and freshman middle blocker Rachel Cornatzer, all of whom give the team additional depth.

BACK FOR MORE
Last year, the Tritons had a large freshman class.  Two of those freshmen - Lauryn Nelson and Kaitlyn Sibson - were named to the All-SSC Newcomer Team.  Nelson was a force at times on the opposite side, finishing the season averaging 2.6 kills person.  Sibson anchored the back row as the libero, averaging 4.0 digs per set and serving up a team-high 47 aces.  Her 468 total digs were the second-most in a single season in program history.