BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College volleyball team opens its 2017 campaign this weekend when it heads to Meisenheimer, N.C., to participate in the Pfeiffer University Tournament.

The Tornados begin the three-match tournament on Saturday at 4 p.m. against West Virginia State. Brevard returns to the court on Sunday to face Virginia Union (11 a.m.) and host Pfeiffer (3 p.m.). 

Head Coach Anna Grant, who begins her third year at the helm of the Tornados, will have the luxury of overseeing a program that includes nine seniors. Among the top upperclassmen returning from a solid 2016 campaign are Rachel Ruble and Stephanie Lambert, who tallied 236 and 204 kills, respectively, as they finished among the top five among offensive leaders.

On defense the Tornados senior leadership will include Maggie Weiss, Hannah Elmore, Ruble and Lambert. Weiss is the top returnee on the back row for the Tornados, finishing with 273 digs a season ago.

Meanwhile the trio Lambert, Ruble and Elmore will be able to use height to their advantage as they look to stonewall the competition on the front row. Grant returns three of her top four blockers from a season ago with the lone departure being Savannah Cox (62 total blocks). Among the returnees include Lambert who ranked second on the team with 51 total blocks, Ruble (35 total blocks) and Elmore (34), who helped provide Brevard with 135.5 total blocks.

"I think I can speak for the team when I say that everyone is extremely excited to take the court this weekend," said Grant. "With so many new faces, it has been fun to see our growth in the last two weeks. With all but one of our returners being seniors, it makes this season that much more exciting. The team is eager to get the season started and this weekend will give us a clearer idea of where our team is at moving forward."

For more information on Brevard College athletics check out www.bctornados.com.