Aug. 28, 2008

EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette volleyball team will make the short trip to Philadelphia to open the 2008 season at the La Salle Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The Leopards will compete against Rider and host La Salle on Friday and square off against Villanova and Colorado on Saturday.

Lafayette went 14-18 last season, marking the fourth straight year of double digit wins for the program. The 2008 Leopards return players at several key positions and also welcome in a talented group of five freshmen who will add depth to head coach Terri Dadio Campbell's roster.

Lafayette opens the tournament at 2 p.m. against Rider. The Broncs finished last year with an overall record of 2-26. Lafayette is facing Rider for the first time since the 2005 season when the Leopards won a 3-2 decision.

At 7 p.m., Lafayette takes on host La Salle. The Leopards also opened last season at the La Salle Tournament where they dropped a 3-0 decision to the Explorers, who finished the year with an overall record of 10-23.

The second day of the tournament begins at 10 a.m. with the Leopards squaring off against Villanova. The Wildcats return four starters and add seven freshmen to a team that went 17-12 last year. Lafayette, which has not faced Villanova since the 2003 season, will be looking to snap a seven match losing streak against the Wildcats.

The Leopards wrap up the tournament with a 2 p.m. match against Northern Colorado in the first ever meeting between the two teams. The Bears went 10-20 last season, including an 8-8 mark in Big Sky play.

Following this weekend's tournament, Lafayette returns home to host Coppin State on Sept. 3 in dual match at 7 p.m.