FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The University of Arkansas begins a new era of Razorback volleyball this weekend under the direction of firstyear head coach Robert Pulliza in Fort Collins, Colo.

Arkansas faces No. 17 Colorado State, Denver and Eastern Washington at the Hilton Classic hosted by CSU and heads into battle with just the second head coach in program history.

“ We are really excited to get out and play someone, ” said Pulliza. “ We’ve done a good job of staying on task. This is our first go-around together. It’s exciting and a bit of an unknown. We are really looking forward to it. ”

Arkansas opens the season with No. 17 Colorado State on the Rams’ home floor. CSU returns 10 players and five starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team.

ADVERTISEMENT

Arkansas has both a young and old team as the 2008 season begins. A pair of seniors, Christina Lawrence and Yun Tang, lead the team but only Lawrence has significant playing experience. Senior Caira Dortch returns as well after sitting out last year.

Juniors Lindsay Scanlan, Kristin Seaton and Destiny Clark are back as well. Scanlan was one of two starting setters from a year ago but Seaton was slowed recovering from injury and Clark missed the entire year with injury.

Sophomore Heather Royal saw action in all of Arkansas’ matches a year ago with classmate Hillary McCormick seeing only spot time.

Phoebe Bautista, Kelli Stipanovich, Lauren Fielding and Mackenzie Rhea will all challenge for the their first playing time for the Cardinal and White.

Arkansas opens the year with the 17 th-ranked Rams at 8: 30 p. m. tonight. The Razorbacks face Denver at 11 a. m. Saturday with the final match against Eastern Washington scheduled for 6 p. m. that evening.

Live match stats as well as more information about Arkansas volleyball can be found at ArkansasRazorbacks. com.