The CMS Volleyball team will open up the 2010 season as it hosts the Pacific Coast Classic this weekend. On Friday, the Athenas will square off with Ithaca College before facing regional opponent UC Santa Cruz. Saturday, the team meets Manchester College and Case Western Reserve University.

Though the team has been practicing for just over a week, Coach Dianna Graves feels confident about the team's prospects. "We have a terrific balance of mature, experienced upperclassmen and energetic, talented rookies. The team came to training camp fit and our athletes have tremendous chemistry on and off the court. We're very excited to see what we can do in these early matches."

Led by senior captains, Allie Macy (OH, Walnut, CA) and Angela Estrella-Lemus (RS, Gilroy, CA), the team returns a host of seasoned veterans, including five seniors. In addition to Macy and Estrella-Lemus, Leanne Ringquist (MB, Ben Lomond, CA), Jenna Suttmeier (OH, Issaquah, WA) and Kendra Huff (OH, Downey, CA) will all play significant roles on the squad as will the team's lone junior, Emily Hudson (OH, South Pasadena, CA).

Second-team All-SCIAC pick, setter Taylor Jones (So., Scottsdale, CA) will control the offense supported by newcomer, freshman Hilary Bruegl (S., Pasadena, CA). Other sophomores include middle blockers, Megan Levonian (Santa Cruz, CA), and Stephanie Bethune (Stockton, CA), outside hitter, Kelly Halamek (Palo Alto, CA), and defensive specialists, Shalynn Ho (Honolulu, HI) and Katrina Lau (San Francisco, CA).

Rounding out the 2010 squad are freshmen, Kelsey Hamano (DS, Honolulu, HI), Alyssa Pang (DS., Honolulu, HI) and right side Bennett Jones (Monte Sereno, CA).

Determined to compete for a conference championship, the Athenas are hard at work and look forward to a great year.