GAME #1
ART U (0-0) vs. Dominican College (NY) (0-0)
August 31, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Otter Sports Center -- Seaside, CA
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GAME #2
ART U (0-0) vs. Maryville University (MO) (0-0)
August 31, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Otter Sports Center -- Seaside, CA
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GAME #3
ART U (0-0) vs. University of Alaska Anchorage (0-0)
September 1, 2012 at 9:00 AM
Otter Sports Center -- Seaside, CA
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GAME #4
ART U (0-0) vs. Minnesota State University - Mankato (0-0)
September 1, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Otter Sports Center -- Seaside, CA
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OPENING SERVE
The Urban Knights are looking to start off strong in new head coach Ed Jackson's regular season debut. Jackson was hired back in March and is pleased with the foundation that has been laid over the past six months and through the preseason workouts. The Knights look poised to move forward after graduating four key seniors last year as Jackson and his staff brought in a strong recruiting class that promises to contribute right away.

STOPPING THE CHARGE
The Dominican College Chargers (NY) were selected to finish second in the North Division of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) after finishing second in the standings last season with an 18-14 overall record. The Chargers are returning 11 players from last season, including two All-CACC First Team performers in outside hitter Michelle Fiorvanti, who led the team in kills in 2011, and libero Jordyn Fuller, who was the team leader in digs and won the Dominican Most Valuable Player Award. This marks the first ever matchup between the two teams.

WHEN THE SAINTS COME MARCHING IN
The Knights are facing another unknown opponent when it comes to the Maryville Saints. Julia Greaves leads all returning Saints players with 158 kills from a year ago. Mikaela Lahm finished with 137 kills, second on the squad, and led the team with 62 total blocks. Hannah Seitter led Maryville with 220 digs a year ago, and Jamie Kloss finished with 201 digs. They will be joined by six newcomers after finishing last year with an 8-18 overall record, 3-15 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

THREE'S COMPANY FOR SENIORS
Academy of Art University heads into the 2012 campaign led by three seniors. Angela Heath is entering her fifth year for the Urban Knights at outside hitter after ranking second on the team in kills last year and third in digs. Setter Melissa Cheng enters her final year as the Knights all-time leader in assists with 2607, and Janelle Burnett is anchoring down the libero position in her second year with the program after transferring from Dodge City CC in 2011.

DANCES WITH SEAWOLVES
The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves posted its fourth straight winning season and third straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011, finishing with an 18-9 overall record. They'l be led by senior setter Kimya Jafroudi, who was named the GNAC Newcomer of the Year last year. The Seawolves return three starters: Jafroudi, OH/DS Nikkie Viotto, and S/DS Siobhan Johansen. The Knights and Seawolves have faced each other twice and split the two games at the Alaska Anchorage Extended Stay Deluxe Invitational in 2009.

MAVERICKS KEEP 20/20 VISION
Minnesota State-Mankato heads to California to face the Knights for the first time in both program's history after finishing their fourth consecutive season with over 20 wins. The Mavericks completed 2011 with an overall record of 20-9 and a 13-7 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Minnesota State is ranked #23 in the preseason AVCA Coaches Poll, and is returning last year's kills leader in Chelsea Fogarty, who finished last year with 448 kills.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It's been really good. Really tiring, but it's a satisfying fatigue when you know you're doing something right and your team is working just as hard as you are." - Sophomore transfer Lindsay Elgin on the preseason practice schedule.

SETTING IT UP
The Knights will be playing in their second tournament of the season next weekend as they take on a slew of CCAA opponents at the CSUEB/NDNU Tournament. On Friday, ART U will face San Francisco State and Cal State East Bay, and on Saturday will take on Humboldt State and Cal State Monterey Bay.