Volleyball Opens 2013 Season at UNLV Invitational

Preseason Prospectus I Season Preview Video I Tournament Central
 
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The University of Portland Pilots volleyball team will hit the road to Las Vegas this weekend, opening the 2013 regular season at the UNLV Invitational beginning on Friday. Portland will open against Kansas State on Friday at 4 p.m. The Pilots will play two matches on Saturday, first against tournament host UNLV at noon before concluding the tournament against Cal State Fullerton at 5 p.m.
 
Portland head coach Joe Houck returns four starters and seven letterwinners this year in addition to adding six key newcomers to the squad.

"Who could ask for more?" Houck asked in preparation for the team's opening weekend of competition. "Three quality matches and a weekend in Las Vegas with 16 of our closest friends. The opener is a little like Christmas every year – we unwrap the new lineup and see what we have."

Houck anticipates many of his six newcomers to see some court action immediately.

"With six new players, all playing important roles, and the development of our returners over the spring and summer we are really excited to get on the court," said Houck. 

Seniors Monica Jordan, Autumn Wedan and Christina Harris will provide the leadership for the Pilots, while Jacky Rodriguez, Katie Mardesich, Bea Loper and Emily Liger are other key returners.

"I expect our three seniors to lead us into the fray and our other veteran returners will give us the balance to be ready for a big test."

Portland will face that early test against Kansas State, a team coming off of a 21-9 record and appearance in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. UNLV posted an 18-11 record a season ago, but the Pilots defeated the Rebels 3-0 in Portland. Cal State Fullerton finished 2012 with a 15-16 overall record.

"Kansas State is a perennial NCAA Tourney team, while UNLV and Cal State Fullerton are battle tested programs with very established and experienced rosters and coaching staffs."

Houck also will be working with three new coaches on the bench this year with the additions of Nels Rydberg, AC Clifton and Giedre Tarnauskaite to the staff.

"The coaching staff and I are high on the work ethic and determined attitudes this young team have been demonstrating throughout our training," Houck added. "We are excited to see the hard work show in competition."

 
PORTLAND PILOTS (0-0) 
vs KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (0-0)
Date: Friday, August 30, 2013
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Start: 4:00 p.m. (PST)
Stadium: Cox Pavilion
Live Stats: kstatesports.com
Overall Series:  1-3
Here: 0-1
There: 1-1
Neutral: 0-1
Last: @Kansas State 3, Portland 2 (2009)


PORTLAND PILOTS (0-0) 
at UNLV REBELS (0-0)
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2013
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Start: 12:00 p.m. (PST)
Stadium: Cox Pavilion
Live Stats: unlvrebels.com
Overall Series:  1-0
Here: 1-0
There: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0
Last: @Portland 3, UNLV 0 (2012)
 
 
PORTLAND PILOTS (0-0) 
at CAL STATE FULLERTON TITANS (0-0)
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2013
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Start: 5:00 p.m. (PST)
Stadium: Cox Pavilion
Live Stats: unlvrebels.com
Overall Series:  3-2
Here: 1-0
There: 1-2
Neutral: 1-0
Last: @Portland 3, Cal State Fullerton 1 (2003)