KENNESAW, GA  – The two-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Alabama State volleyball team will begin their journey for a three-peat beginning Friday when the team opens play in the Kennesaw State Tournament.

Alabama State, who went 20-19 last season and qualified for a NCAA Tournament berth for a second consecutive season, returns nine players to this year's squad. 

With a conference-best five selections to All-SWAC Preseason teams and a predicted first-place finish in the SWAC East's Division, expectations are high once again this season. 

The Lady Hornets will face tough challenges from the onset, facing Kennesaw State of the Atlantic Sun Conference on Friday at 7:30 p.m. / 6:30 central on the Owls' home floor. 

The teams last met nearly three years ago on October 2, 2012 in a closely contested match, in which the Owls pulled out a 25-22, 25-16, 27-25 decision. 

The match will be broadcast live on Atlantic Sun TV here:
http://eversport.tv/atlantic-sun/volleyball-womens/kennesaw-state#schedule

To follow live stats of the match, click here:
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=96890

"I think it's going to be an exciting match," said ASU volleyball head coach Penny Lucas-White.

"I'm just excited to start.  The girls are excited to play.  I'm not sure what to expect from them [Kennesaw State].   I know they are a relatively young team and had a lot of freshmen on the squad on the team last year.  And, we have two freshmen setters, so in that way, we are kind of in the same boat."

The Lady Hornets will continue play in the tournament with two matches scheduled for Saturday.

First up, ASU will take on Jacksonville State at 10 a.m. / 9 central followed by a match with Savannah State at 5 p.m. / 4 central. 

Jacksonville State went 18-16 overall in 2014 including 9-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference. 

In last season's meetings between the teams, ASU lost a five-setter to the Gamecocks in September before losing in three sets at Jacksonville in October. 

Savannah State went 5-27 overall including 0-10 in the MEAC. 

ASU topped the Tigers in straight sets in their lone meeting last September. 

"The one thing that I can say about Alabama State is that it has never fazed us—wherever we play," said Lucas-White. "That's the good thing about Alabama State and the character of our kids.  We're so mature and we have so many seniors." 

To follow live stats of those matches, click here:

Vs. Jacksonville State http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=97540

Vs. Savannah State http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=97541
                                                                                                        #GOHORNETS#