PHILADELPHIA – The Niagara volleyball team starts its 2010 campaign participating in the LaSalle Invitational this weekend. The Purple Eagles will play Hartford in the invitational’s first game on Friday, at 4 p.m. and will play the host, La Salle, at 10 a.m. and Valparaiso at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Niagara head coach Susan Clements is back for her fourth year after sending the NU volleyball program to heights it has never reached. Niagara set a school record with 23 wins en route to claiming its first-ever MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. 

Clements had three players named to All-MAAC teams, seven named to the MAAC All-Academic team, MAAC Setter of the Year, MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, two players on the MAAC All-Tournament Team and the MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player.  For her work, Clements was named MAAC and National Coach of the Year.

The Purple Eagles were also strong in the classroom and were honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for having a team cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 or better.

This season, the Purple Eagles return all 10 letterwinners from last season’s 23-9 team, including All-MAAC First Team performers Hannah Hedrick and Michelle James. Hedrick earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named the MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, while James was named Setter of the Year.  

Shannon Ryan, Sam Morgan and James return as captains for the second-straight season. The senior class of Lauren Costello, Rebecca Suchy and Ryan will look to finish their NU career as back-to-back MAAC champion. The leadership continues with a strong junior class of Kathy Bibler, Lisa Bilich, Hedrick, James and Morgan. The sophomore class of Kari Honomichl and Amanda Wilken, who led the team in attacking percentage, will look to build after a solid debut season.  Niagara added freshmen outside hitter Taylor Scully and right side Ellen Senf to complete the roster.

Earlier this week, the Purple Eagles were tabbed to repeat as conference champs by the league’s coaches and had Hedrick and James named to the Preseason All-MAAC, with James earning Co-Player of the Year honors.

Niagara started last season 3-0 after defeating Coppin State, Providence and Hartford without dropping a set to capture the Niagara Invitational Tournament title. The Purple Eagles will look for a similar start this season with matches against Hartford, La Salle and Valparaiso.

Niagara will have its banner unveiling ceremony during the pregame of its home opener against Buffalo on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.