EDINBORO, Pa. (August 31, 2016) – The Edinboro University volleyball team will open the 2016 season with a long journey to Golden, Co. to face a talented field in the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Oredigger Classic, hosted by Colorado School of Mines. The Fighting Scots will play twice on Friday, September 2 and two more times on Saturday, September 3.
 
The Fighting Scots will face a pair of 2015 NCAA Tournament teams while playing schools from four different conferences. The action gets underway for coach Missy Soboleski's team on Friday at 1 p.m. as the Fighting Scots square off against a Nebraska-Kearney team that was 29-7 a year ago. The Lopers played in the NCAA Central Regional and were picked to finish fourth in the powerful MIAA this year. They showcase AVCA honorable mention All-American Annie Wolfe.
 
At 5:30 p.m., takes to the court again against the University of Indianapolis. The Greyhounds are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and posted a 17-17 record. They are picked to finish third in the GLVC Easter Division.
 
Saturday starts with a 10 a.m. match against St. Cloud State. The Huskies are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and finished with a 9-19 record in 2015. Edinboro wraps up the two-day event against the host Miners of Colorado School of Mines. The Orediggers won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship and went on to reach the semifinals of the South Central Regional. Colorado School of Mines was 27-6 and features returning AVCA second team All-American Alanna Winfield.
 
Edinboro begins its 12^th season under head coach Missy Soboleski, who picked up her 250^th career win at Edinboro during the 2015 campaign, and enters 2016 with 389 career victories. A year ago she guided the Fighting Scots to a 31-7 finish, tied for the third-highest win total in school history. The Fighting Scots qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2011 and reached the NCAA Playoffs for the second straight year and eighth time under Soboleski.
 
The veteran coach is looking forward to the challenge that lays ahead in Colorado. "Colorado is a big trip for us," she admitted.  "We return the heart and soul of our starters from last year and this trip will be a test for them and the rest of the team.  Big-time competition early will only help us prepare for PSAC." 
 
The Fighting Scots are the PSAC favorites in the Northwest Division, as the PSAC begins a four- divisional system in 2016.  "The biggest thing we will focus on is being competitive in every match," Soboleski pointed out.  "We are trying to be a more disciplined team in all facets of the game.  Last year was a nice year for us to a point, but we fell short of our goals when it comes down to it.  I've told the team last year is the past and we have a lot of work to do, challenges to face and based on how we train, will tell how we compete in matches.  My goal is to have no regrets at the end of each match."  
 
The Fighting Scots return four players who received postseason recognition a year ago. Leading the way is Challen Litwiler. The junior outside hitter was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year after leading the team with 510 kills and 70 service aces, along with 498 digs
 
Litwiler was joined on the All-PSAC West first team by fellow junior Sydney Trathen. The setter had 1,348 assists. Victoria Severo, a senior middle hitter, earned second team All-PSAC West accolades after totaling a team-high 108 blocks along with 370 kills. Megan Screptock was named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year. The outside hitter had 220 kills and 323 digs.