ADA – The East Central University volleyball team will open the 2016 season at the South Central Classic hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant, Okla., Sept. 2-3.

The Tigers will play four matches over the weekend, starting with battles with New Mexico Highlands (2 p.m.) and Central Oklahoma (5 p.m.) Friday and then Union University (Noon) and Cameron (5 p.m.) Saturday.

This is the first season for ECU head coach Melissa Anderson, who takes over as just the second coach in the eight years of the program.  Anderson came to ECU from Otero Junior College where she led the Rattlers to five 19+ win seasons and produced 18 All-Region IX selections.

Anderson will have five returning starters and 10 returning players on the roster after losing two players to graduation.  The returners include outside hitter Madyson Gill (226 kills, 22 service aces), setter Taylor Turner (863 assists, 15 service aces) and libero Lily Porsa (371 digs).

New Mexico Highlands will also start the season with a new coach at the helm, after finishing 2015 with a 7-21 overall record.  The Cowgirls hit .167 as a team and allowed a .218 mark a year ago.  NMHU returns Caroline Hansen, who tallied a .172 (187k-87e-580ta) attack percentage, 15 service aces, 189 digs and 29 (3-27) blocks.

UCO went 31-5 a year ago and has been picked to finish second in the MIAA pre-season poll.  The Bronchos hit .275 as a team in 2015 and allowed just a .157 mark.  One of their top returners is Taylor Bevis, who hit .266 (396k-134e-986ta) and added 110 digs and 58 (7-51) blocks.

Union went 10-19 in 2015 and will return five starters, with eight newcomers on the 2016 roster.  The Lady Bulldogs hit .148 and allowed a .183 mark last season.  Ceciley Blanchard was their top producer, hitting .151 (223k-122e-669ta) and adding 16 service aces, 174 digs and 50 (10-40) blocks.

Cameron was 17-10 a year ago and will return six players, with 10 newcomers on the 2016 roster.  The Aggies were close to their opponents in all categories, including a .176 to .172 mark in hitting percentages.  Jenna Gillean is the top returner for Cameron, with 20 service aces, 112 digs, 84 (16-68) blocks and a .275 (281k-88e-701ta) hitting percentage.

The Tigers will be facing Union for the first time in school history, while the meeting with the Cowgirls will be the third (1-2), UCO's the 14^th (2-11) and Cameron's the sixth (1-4).

This weekend's tournament is the first of three-straight for ECU, with next weekend's (Sept. 9-10) coming in Maryville and St. Joseph, Mo. at the Gold and Green Challenge.