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RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's volleyball team opens the 2013 season Friday as the Colonels take on Kennesaw State in the La Quinta Inn and Suites Highlander Invitational in Radford, Va.

The Colonels will play two matches on Saturday, facing host Radford at 10:30 a.m. followed by a match with North Carolina A&T.

The following is a preview for the 2013 volleyball season.

Every season, every team is different. After 20 years of coaching, 16 at Eastern, Lori Duncan knows that. Heading into the 2013 season, Duncan's Colonels are picked to finish fifth in the OVC East. Duncan, however, says she's confident her team can disprove the preseason polls and looks to use the polls in her team's favor.

"I'm going to use this as motivation," Duncan said. "I think we're going to be under the radar and that's a good thing for us right now."

EKU returns nine letter winners from 2012, as well as five starters — but transfer Ally Peters has worked with the team since arriving in Richmond in January. The Colonels also added freshman outside hitter, Johanna Boyer and freshman middle blocker Tori Anderson to the roster.

"With our additions, we're going to add size to the team," Duncan said. "We've not only elevated our overall athleticism with this class, but also our height and our speed."

Duncan said she believes this team is special. With the incredible amount of talent coupled with the determination amongst the team, Duncan said her team can go as far as they want to — and that's far.

The team came into camp ready for the conditioning test.

"They blew it away," Duncan said. "When they come back and they're this prepared it demonstrates how serious I think they are to be successful."

Duncan said this year's scores were the best from a conditioning test since 2004-05, the last time EKU won an OVC title. The Colonels won both the regular season and tournament championship that year.

OUTSIDE HITTERS
Duncan said she believes the outside hitter position is the strongpoint of this year's squad. The depth complemented with the dynamic skill sets of Alexis Plagens, Peters, Boyer and Ashley Edmond will likely make it difficult for opponents to shut down the Colonel offense.

Edmond and Plagens combined for over 600 kills for the Colonels in 2012. Edmond ranked sixth in the OVC in points and kills per set. Plagens was second on the team, behind only Edmond, with 2.39 kills per set.

At Eastern, Edmond has made her name known throughout the OVC, earning a preseason All-OVC selection for the 2013 season. Edmond's power coupled with the Boyer's size, Plagens' quickness and Peters' vision has Duncan excited for the new season.

"All four of those kids are going to be very impressive." Duncan said. "They will create some really great things for us."

MIDDLE BLOCKERS
With the addition of Anderson, Duncan said she's pleased with the depth at the position and looks forward to the competition. Anderson has added depth to an already talented group including Rachel Vick and Marissa Tashenberg from the 2012 season. Vick started all 28 matches as a freshman and led the team with 67 blocks.

SETTERS
The skills of Mallori Moffat and Abbey Cvelbar add options for the coaching staff. Depending on the scheme, both could be on the floor at the same time—something Duncan hasn't been able to do for several years. Both have versatility that will allow EKU to change things up. Moffat and Cvelbar have the experience that is needed Duncan said.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
With Dena Ott, Julia Mindlina and Candice Biltz returning, the Colonels have vast experience. The three will compete for the libero spot. Ott played libero in 2012 and averaged 5.34 digs per set—third best in the OVC and 29th in the nation. The defensive players are pivotal in controlling the ball for EKU. All three must be able to set, and set accurately and consistently and Duncan is confident they all can get the job done.

SCHEDULE
The Colonels will be traveling quite a bit in the first six weeks of the season. EKU has 32 matches scheduled for the upcoming season—evenly splitting between non-conference and conference opponents.

The Colonels open the season with the La Quinta Inn and Suites Highlander Invitational. Following Saturday's two matches, the team will return to Richmond for the home opener against non-conference opponent Marshall on Monday, September 2.

EKU will also play in the Arizona Invitational, the Thunder Invite and the Penn State Classic. Duncan said her team will be challenged by the competition, but is looking forward to the opportunity.

Eastern will play its first of eight road conference matches at Tennessee State on September 27. The Colonels will travel for the next three matches, taking on Belmont, Morehead State and Austin Peay before the conference home-opener against Southern Illinois Edwardsville on October 11.

The Colonels will close out the season with a four-game conference home stand which Duncan says can "be key in the race for the tournament."