MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University volleyball team is set to begin its 2009 season with the WVU Classic on Friday, Aug. 28, with a 7:30 p.m. match against Oakland.

Tournament play will continue on Saturday, as the Mountaineers face Towson at 1:30 p.m., followed by Saint Francis (Pa.) at 7 p.m.

The Mountaineers prepare for the Golden Grizzles and sport a 4-0 mark in the all-time series, after a 3-2 victory in their last meeting in 2006. This season, Oakland features a talented team with four returning starters including senior outside hitter Adrienne Leone who posted 16 kills in its intrasquad scrimmage last week.

In WVU’s last meeting with the Tigers in 2007, the Mountaineers captured a 3-0 victory to gain a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series record. After finishing last season with a 19-12 record, Towson looks to have a successful season with a talented incoming freshman class that earned a spot on prepvolleyball.com’s honorable mention list for top college recruiting class of 2009.

WVU also owns an advantage in the series record with the Red Flash, improving to 7-1, after a 3-0 victory last season. Senior outside hitter Kristin Butler returns this season, after leading the Red Flash with 11 kills and 10 digs against the Mountaineers in 2008.

The Mountaineers head into 2009 with a talented squad including five of last season’s starters. Libero Bonnie West returns for her junior year, after recording 424 total digs, to put her ninth on the list for most digs in a single season at WVU.

WVU also features sophomore outside hitter Kylie Armbruster, as she returns after leading the team with 229 kills last season, while sophomore Kari Post returns as starting setter.

Other matches on the weekend include a 5 p.m. match between Towson and Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday. Play continues on Saturday as Saint Francis (Pa.) and Oakland start with an 11 a.m. match, followed by a 4:30 p.m. match between Oakland and Towson.

WVU Classic Schedule

Friday, Aug. 28
5:00 p.m. Towson vs. Saint Francis (Pa.) Gametracker
7:30 p.m. WVU vs. Oakland LIVE VIDEO STREAMING | Gametracker

Saturday, Aug. 29
11 a.m. Saint Francis (Pa.) vs. Oakland Gametracker
1:30 p.m. WVU vs. Towson LIVE VIDEO STREAMING | Gametracker
4:30 p.m. Oakland vs. Towson Gametracker
7:00 p.m. WVU vs. Saint Francis (Pa.) Gametracker | LIVE VIDEO STREAMING