The Ursuline College volleyball team will open the 2017 season on the road for the second consecutive year at the IUP Crimson Hawk Tournament hosted by Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
 
The Arrows will play the host Crimson Hawks to open the event on Friday at 2:00pm followed by a match with Daemen College (N.Y.) at 4:30pm. On Saturday, Ursuline will play Roberts Wesleyan at 10:00am and close the tournament out against Clarion at 12:30pm.
 
In 2016, the Arrows went 3-1 in their four matches in the Crimson Hawk Tournament including a 3-1 win over Roberts Wesleyan who they will play on Saturday.
 
Ursuline returns five players who saw significant time in 2016 including sophomore Vikki Henderson who finished third on the team in kills with 284 as a freshman. The Arrows will also count heavily on two other sophomores in Jill Morrow and Angie Zamora, both who played a big part in last year's success.
 
The Arrows won 17 matches a year ago including upsetting then defending Great Midwest Champion Trevecca Nazarene in the G-MAC Tournament opening round last November.
 
Ursuline was picked to finish fourth in the Great Midwest's East Division in the preseason coaches' poll that was released earlier this month. The East will consist of Lake Erie, Walsh, Davis & Elkins, Malone, Alderson Broaddus, Ohio Valley and Ursuline.
 
Following this event, Ursuline will travel to Shepherdstown, West Virginia to play four matches in the Shepherd tournament September 8-9.
 
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
 
Indiana (PA.)
 
2016 Record: 20-11, 10-8 PSAC
 
2017 Preseason Pick: 3^rd, PSAC West Division
 
Returners: 6
 
Head Coach: Scott Pennewill
 
Daemen College (N.Y.)
 
2016 Record: 25-8, 13-1 ECC
 
2017 Preseason Pick: 2^nd, ECC (3 first place votes)
 
Returners: 8
 
Head Coach: Stephanie Albano
 
Roberts Wesleyan College
 
2016 Record: 9-15, 6-8 ECC
 
2017 Preseason Pick: 8^th in ECC
 
Returners: 8
 
Head Coach: Doug Porterfield
 
Clarion University
 
2016 Record: 16-14, 10-8 PSAC
 
2017 Preseason Pick: 1^st in PSAC Southwest
 
Returners: 12
 
Head Coach: Jennifer Herron