LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama’s volleyball team will open the 2007-08 sports calendar this weekend at the Augusta State University Jaguar Classic.  The Tigers will open the two-day, four-match event on Friday, Aug. 24 against Clark Atlanta University at 1 p.m. and Paine College at 3 p.m. CST.

Second-year head coach Ron Arenz returns nine letter winners from last year, including Pre-Season all-Gulf South Conference Team member Guiliana DeFrancesco and juniors Teresa Clements and Allison Nail.  DeFrancesco, the sophomore setter led the team with 1,208 assists and was ranked among the leaders in the GSC.  Clements was second on the team in kills (262), with 17 service aces.  Nail, an all-GSC Second Team honoree last year, broke the UWA school record for kills in a match (29) against Christian Brothers.

“We are looking forward to opening up the season,” said Arenz.  “The girls have been here on campus since the beginning of August preparing for the season.  This weekend will give us a chance to see how far we have come against some pretty good competition.”

UWA will take on Coker College and Mount Olive College on Saturday, Aug. 24 to close out the season-opening weekend.  Match times for the second day are slated for 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Red and White open the home slate on Wednesday, Sept. 5 against in-state foe Spring Hill at Pruitt Hall.