CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Campbellsville 2017-18 athletic season begins on Tuesday night with the women's volleyball team hosting Bethel University at 7 p.m. ET in the Powell Athletic Center.
 
The Lady Tigers are coming off of 2016 campaign where they finished with a record of 30-14 overall. During the second 30-win season under head coach Amy Zink, Campbellsville finished as the runner-up in the NCCAA National Championship and finished third in the Mid-South Conference after going 10-4. To start the season, the Lady Tigers were projected to finish third in the conference, following the coaches' preseason poll earlier this month.
 
Heading into their season opener, Campbellsville is receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll, announced last week. The Lady Tigers return a lot of key components from their team last season, highlighted by NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, Annija Abolina. Last year, Abolina led Campbellsville with 581 kills and finished with an attacking percentage of .294.
 
Joining Abolina in the returning core is reining MSC Libero of the Year in Jessie Pendleton and second team all-conference performer Maria Coelho. Pendleton finished the 2016 season with a team-high 932 digs, while Coelho ended last year with 467 kills – which was second best on the team.
 
Just two members of the last season's team graduated and Zink – who was named the 2016 MSC Coach of the Year – brought in four freshmen and a pair of transfers to fill the void. After losing a First Team All-MSC performer in Inoa Fields at setter, Zink brought in transfer Maliyah Tela from Northwest College and local high school standout Katie Harris to add depth at setter.
 
Campbellsville also added height and depth on the front row with the remaining four newcomers all playing up front and standing at least six-feet tall.
 
Bethel comes into the 2017 season projected to finish second in the Southern States Athletic Conference. The Wildcats posted a record of 29-6 last season and finished as the runner-up in the SSAC regular season and tournament.
 
Head coach for Bethel Starla Cupples has an even balance of youth and experience on her club this year with six combined juniors and seniors, along with a sophomore and six freshmen to bring into the mix during 2017. However, the Wildcats have to replace two key components from last season in Kaylee Ginnings and Eloisa Sales. Ginnings led the NAIA with 11.8 assists per set; while Sales led the nation with 5.6 kills a set.
 
In last year's matchup between Campbellsville and Bethel, the Lady Tigers picked up a 3-0 sweep at home over the Wildcats winning by the scores of 26-24, 24-22 and 25-18. In the match, Abolina recorded 13 kills for Campbellsville, while Pendleton notched 11 digs. Julia Fonseca finished with a match-high four blocks.
 
First serve in the season opener for the Lady Tigers is set for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday night at Powell Athletic Center. Live video and live stats are available for the season opener against Bethel.
 
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