Volleyball sets for a strong season

Though most students are just now returning to school for the start of fall semester, the Xavier women's volleyball team has been hard at work preparing for their season opener.
The Musketeers are fresh off a 21-11 season that included an 11-4 mark in Atlantic 10 conference
play.
Xavier's first game takes place on Aug. 24 at Clemson University as part of the Big Orange Bash.
The Musketeers open their season
against South Carolina State University. Following the opener, the women will take part in a double-header on Aug. 25 against Coastal Carolina University and Clemson.
The Musketeers have reached the A-10 Tournament Championship match in each of the first two seasons under head coach Mike Johnson.
The team has excelled in the regular season in Cintas Center, completing the 2011 season with an unblemished 9-0 record at home.
In the A-10 preseason coaches' poll, the Musketeers were picked to finish second in the conference.
Xavier finished with 129 points, second to rival University of Dayton.
The Musketeers return to the court with a stacked roster this season, including five seniors and some talented underclassmen.
Senior Stephanie Vorherr anchors
the Musketeers, evidenced by her recognition as the A-10 Libero of the Year for the past three seasons.
Junior Sarah Brown and redshirt
junior Alex Smith each tallied some impressive stats last season, earning a spot on the preseason All-Conference First team.
Brown also earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Honorable Mention for her efforts last season. Sophomore Aubree Smith has already
accumulated 1,210 assists in her lone season at Xavier.
On top of being named to the conference All-Rookie team, Smith earned A-10 Rookie of the Year.
The first home game of the season will take place on Aug. 31.
This will kick off the annual Xavier Tournament including Marquette University, Tennessee Tech University and the University of Mississippi.
Xavier also announced this past week that fans will be able to watch a live stream of eight women's volleyball matches this season, available on goxavier.com throughout the season.