The Alabama State University volleyball team will open its 2011 season in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take part in the University of Alabama Tournament Aug 26-27. 

“I am really excited about this tournament,” said Head Coach Penny Lucas-White.  “I feel great about this team they have shown some real intensity during our practices.  We are short manned at the moment but I feel as though we are going to get on the floor and do what we need to do win, lose or draw.”

The Lady Hornets will face host team Alabama at noon tomorrow and then square off against Texas State at 4 p.m.  On Saturday the ladies will compete against Austin Peay at 10 a.m. to round up the tournament.

Collectively, the Lady Hornets have only faced its opponents this weekend a total of 10 times in school history.  ASU is 0-9 versus Alabama; this will be the first meeting with Texas State and only the second meeting against Austin Peay with Austin Peay holding the lead.

Alabama State will be led by seniors Ana Pego, Asia Manning and junior Roselande Corneille.  Pego and Corneille are preseason first team All-SWAC selections and Manning was selected to the second team, while Corneille was nominated the leagues preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2010, Manning finished second on the team in total attacks and kills and Pego led the team in assists.

After Alabama State's three matches this weekend, the ladies will head down highway 231 to Troy, Ala. and face the Trojans of Troy University on August 30 at 7 p.m.