WEEK 1: at ARKANSAS TECH SPIKEFEST
TUCKER COLISEUM • RUSSELLVILLE, AR
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009
vs ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE  11:00 AM
vs CAMERON  3:00 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2009
vs TEXAS A&M-INTERNATIONAL  11:00 AM
vs ARKANSAS TECH  5:00 PM

LIVE STATS: via ATU website

SBU NOTES

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- The SBU Bearcats open up the 2009 season at the Arkansas Tech Spikefest in Russellville, Ark., with four weekend opponents. In 2008 the Bearcats finished with a 13-20 overall record and tied with Missouri Southern for eighth place in the MIAA at 5-15. SBU returns five starters including All-MIAA middle blocker Ashley Jurgensmeyer and senior outside hitter Kelsey Stewart. The Bearcats have also added two Division I transfers in 6-1 outside hitter Danielle Reed from Texas-Pan American and 5-11 middle hitter Joanna Granzow from Missouri State.

THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Bearcat head coach Kelly Richardson enters her third season guiding the Bearcats. She's improved SBU's win total from eight her first year to 13 a year ago. Alabama-Huntsville is led by Laura Taube who is 341-220 in her 16th season. Cameron is coached by Brianne Smedley, who begins her fourth year overall (96-50) and second at Cameron. The Dustdevils of Texas A&M-International are led by Wendy McManus who begins her sixth season overall (87-73) and fourth at A&M-International. Kristy Bayer guides the host Arkansas Tech Golden Suns and is 111-63 in five years at ATU.

SBU's all-time records against the weekend opponents: UAH 2, SBU 1; SBU 2, CU 1; SBU 1, TAMIU 0; ATU 5, SBU 2.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
The UAH Lady Chargers are ready to start the season and get last year's 1-31 record behind them. Lauren Simmons, a junior outside hitter, transfers in and is looking to contribute right away. Another key addition is freshman setter Kelly Wilson. Cameron looks to improve on last season's 14-13 campaign. The Aggies Senior hitter Lindsay Paziuk is the team leader in kills, with 343.

Texas A&M-International struggled with a 7-22 record last season, but led the Heartland Conference in blocks. Senior Clovershea McGill is the leading returner, with 87 blocks. The ATU Golden Suns return three starters from a squad that went 31-5 last season. Junior Sarah Von Lienen comes back after leading the team in blocks, with 123. Sophomore Brennae Benda, the team leader in digs (402) is another key returner. Both Von Lienen and Benda were named to the preseason All-GSC West team.