CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Lander volleyball team is set to open its 2019 campaign this weekend at the Queens Fall Classic. The Bearcats will face four opponents over two days as they with Grand Valley State and Queens on Friday at 12:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., followed by Belmont Abbey and Converse on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
WATCH: Stretch Internet
LIVE STATS: Stretch Internet
SOCIAL: Follow @LanderVBALL on Twitter for in-game updates
STORYLINES
• The Bearcats will return several key players from the 2018 season, including senior middle blocker Reilly Kuenstler and senior libero Hannah McManus. Kuenstler played all 104 sets last year and led the team with 76 block assists and 91 total blocks, while McManus earned a spot on the Peach Belt All-Conference team.
• Madilyn Reed was voted to the preseason all-Peach Belt Conference team
• Lander is predicted to finish third in the Peach Belt according to the preseason coaches poll.
• Ashley White is entering into her eighth season as coach of the Bearcats and is looking to achieve a seventh consecutive winning season.
• Grand Valley State won 12 of its first 18 matches last season.
• Lander beat Queens 3-0 when the two teams met last year at the USC Aiken Invitational.
• Saturday marks the first meeting between Lander and Belmont Abbey since 2016, which ended in a 3-2 victory for the Bearcats.
• Converse went 7-26 last year and is predicted to finish 12th in Conference Carolinas this season.
#cLawsUp | @LanderVBALL
