SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos volleyball team begins its inaugural NCAA Division II season this weekend, competing at the The Master's College Labor Day Tournament.
 
The Schedule 
The Master's College Labor Day Volleyball Tournament
Santa Clarita, Calif. – Bross Gym
Live video & Live stats
 
Matches 1-2
Friday, Sept. 4 – 11 a.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. The Master's College (4-5)
Friday, Sept. 4 – 4 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. Westmont (4-2)
 
Matches 3-4
Saturday, Sept. 5 – 10 a.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. Biola (5-0)
Saturday, Sept. 5 – 4 p.m.
Cal State San Marcos (0-0) vs. Carroll (3-2)
 
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New Territory
After nine seasons of competition in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Cougars enter their first season of NCAA Division II competition in 2015. CSUSM is currently in the second year of a three-year transition to full NCAA Division II membership. As a part of the transition, the Cougars will be ineligible for postseason play in 2015 and 2016.
 
New Conference
Cal State San Marcos is a part of the 13-team California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), made up of 12 CSU institutions and UC San Diego. The CCAA is one of the premier NCAA Division II leagues in the nation. Its teams have won more national championships (153) than any other conference.
 
Home Opener – Sept. 16
The Cougars will play their first ever match on campus on Wednesday, Sept. 16 when they open their CCAA conference schedule against Humboldt State at Hunter Gymnasium located in the Clarke Field House. General admission tickets are $5 and kids (12 & younger) are $3. For more ticket information, click here.
 
The Returners
The Cougars have a solid group of eight returners that includes 2015 captains Taylor DeGraaf, Jordan Banich and Brooke Butler. DeGraaf, a three-time NAIA All-American, takes the court again after experiencing a season-ending injury the first weekend last year. Juniors Jordan McFarland, Morgan Willis and Taylor Harris join sophomores Samantha Flores and Ashley Kaylor as the other five returners. 
 
The New Faces
Head coach Andrea Leonard brought in eight new players to wear Cougar Blue in 2015 including Vanguard transfer Lauren Hays who will conclude her collegiate career at CSUSM this season. The seven new freshmen are Faith Fortune, Ashley Pedersen, Cheyanne Patin, Courtney Hulla, Haley Montgomery, Lauren Lee and Sam Huang.

The Master's College Preview
All-time vs. TMC: 2-5
Last time out: L, 1-3 (25-20, 14-25, 23-25, 18-25) on October 17, 2014; A four-point surge by the Cougars capped off a 25-20 first-set victory with the help of a .303 team attack percentage. CSUSM was unable to maintain the momentum as the Mustangs snagged the final three sets.   
TMC Breakdown: The Mustangs enter their tournament with a 4-5 record after dropping three of their four matches at the Montana Big Sky Tournament last weekend.
 
Westmont Preview
All-time vs. WC: 3-4
Last time out: W, 3-2 (19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 20-15, 17-15) on October 28, 2014. Behind Butler's career night of 20 kills and 26 digs, the Cougars collected their first-ever road victory against Westmont in a five-set thriller last season.
WC Breakdown: The Warriors opened the season with a 2-2 record at the Biola/Red Lion-Anaheim Summer Slam but bounced back with a two victories over Oklahoma City and Life Pacific the following weekend. With nine players 5'10 or taller, the Warriors are putting up a wall by averaging two blocks a set.
 
Biola Preview
All-time vs. BU: 2-0
Last time out: L, 0-3 (16-25, 19-25, 19-25) on October 21, 2014; The Cougars, who were ranked No. 25 at the time, dropped a three-set match to then-ranked No. 5 Biola in La Mirada.
BU Breakdown: The No. 2-ranked Biola Eagles have started the season off with a 5-0 record that included a five-set thriller against No. 5 Rocky Mountain College in the opening weekend of play. Seven seniors return from last year's squad that made it to the NAIA Semifinals.
 
Carroll Preview
All-time vs. CC: 1-0
Last time out: W, 3-0 (25-18, 26-24, 25-23) on September 1, 2012; With a No. 25 ranking, CSUSM pulled off an upset sweep over then-No. 21 Carroll College (Mont.) in the Great Falls Tournament in Las Vegas in 2012.
CC Breakdown: Carroll dropped back-to-back matches to Eastern Oregon (2-3) and Vanguard (1-3) to begin its 2015 campaign but responded with victories over Hope International (3-0) and Corban (3-1) the following day.
 
 
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