LEBANON -- After two weeks of two-a-days, the Cumberland University volleyball team is preparing to open the 2010 campaign as the Bulldogs will host their annual Volleydawg Classic this weekend at the Dallas Floyd Recreation Center .

Cumberland welcomes Faulkner University, Mountain State University, Pikeville College, Reinhardt University and Tennessee Temple University in the two-day classic that begins Friday afternoon (today) at 3 p.m. Action will take place on two courts with six matches on both days.

Cumberland will face Tennessee Temple in the opening time slot and will take on Mountain State at 7 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, play begins at 9 a.m. with CU squaring off against Pikeville before being paired with Faulkner at 11 a.m.

“The girls have really worked hard and are really excited about getting the season started,” CU head coach Dwayne Deering said. “They are really hungry to play.”

Cumberland faced all four of this weekend’s opponents last season, winning all five matches, including two over Tennessee Temple. CU will not play Reinhardt, which is coached by former Bulldog Jenny Hayes. This year’s squad, which was picked to finish fifth in the TranSouth Conference by the league’s coaches, will be a mix of familiar players, including All-Conference returners Kaysi Arnold and Jessica Gericke, as well as several new faces.

Also returning to the starting lineup for the Volleydawgs is three-year starter Taylor Denney. Freshmen Danielle Girardeau and Mackenzie Gass along with transfers Meghan Gass and Jaclyn Rodriguez are also expected to spend significant time on the court this season.

“We are still going to be a young team,” Deering said. “But that further enhances the enthusiasm that these girls have. I am pleased with how we’re doing coming out of fall camp. The new players have really been catching on quickly.”

Admission to the Volleydawg Classic, as well as all other Cumberland home matches, is free.