HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson volleyball team is set to begin its 2018 campaign this weekend at the Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational in Macomb, Illinois.
 
Friday, August 24
Fairleigh Dickinson vs Tennessee Tech
12 PM (EST) | Live Stats
 
Fairleigh Dickinson at Western Illinois
8 PM (EST) | Live Stats | Video
 
Saturday, August 25
Fairleigh Dickinson vs Evansville
11 AM (EST) | Live Stats
 
PRESEASON POLL
Fairleigh Dickinson was picked seventh in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll as announced by the conference last Wednesday. Last season's NEC Champions, LIU Brooklyn earned the top spot in Wednesday's poll, garnering five first-place votes. The Blackbirds posted a 20-10 overall record and an 11-3 mark in conference play last season. In order, Bryant, Robert Morris, and Central Connecticut State rounded out the 2-4 spots in the poll and each received one first-place vote.
 
EARLY SEASON SCHEDULE
The Knights will play three matches this weekend in Illinois before competing at two more neutral-site events in the next two weeks. First up is the Friar Classic hosted by Providence August 31-September 1, followed by the Pioneer Classic in Denver on September 7-8.
 
KNIGHTS OUTLOOK
Led by second-year head coach Andrea Nolan, who spent last season under the interim title, the Knights will look to continue their improvement in 2018 and are bolstered by a seven-member incoming class. With 15 student-athletes on this year's squad, Nolan will have the deepest roster the Knights have featured in more than a decade. The incoming 2018 class joins the group of eight returnees, including four upperclassmen and four sophomores.

SCOUTING TENNESSEE TECH
The Golden Eagles are headed by first-year head coach Jeanette Waldo. Last season, the team posted a 4-24 overall record including a 2-14 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. The team is led by senior libero Kirsten Brugere, who was named to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team after earning Second Team All-OVC for 2017.

SCOUTING WESTERN ILLINOIS
The host Fighting Leathernecks open their weekend against the Knights after an 8-20 campaign a season ago. Like Tennessee Tech, the Leathernecks also welcome a first-year head coach in Ben Staupe, who enjoyed success at the Division III level prior to his arrival in Macomb. Staupe's coaching career has featured several appearances at the NCAA Division III Championships, six conference championship titles and winning percentages above .750 in each of his last two stops.  Sophomore Mackenzie Steckler and senior Jaime Johnson each garnered Summit League preseason accolades by being named "Players to Watch" by the conference.

SCOUTING EVANSVILLE
The Aces are coming off of a 10-20 campaign, which included a 4-14 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference and were picked to finish ninth in this year's preseason poll. Senior Mildrelis Rodriguez and junior Rachel Tam are back to lead the way this season after averaging team-highs 2.78 k/set and 2.44 k/set in 2017.

NEXT UP
The Knights travel to Providence, Rhode Island to face Brown on Friday, August 31 before matches against the host Friars and UMass Lowell on Saturday, September 1.