STATESBORO, GA – The Georgia Southern Eagle Volleyball team kicks off its 2009 season with the Holiday Inn Invitational, August 28-29, in Hanner Fieldhouse. The four participating teams include Presbyterian College, Stetson, Troy and host Georgia Southern.

Stetson and Troy open the tournament with a 5 p.m. match on Friday, followed by the home opener for the Eagles at 7 p.m. when they take on the Presbyterian College Blue Hose.

Saturday action will see four contests beginning at 10 a.m. with Troy battling PC before Georgia Southern hits the court again at noon for a match-up against Stetson. Evening action kicks off with a Blue Hose versus Hatters match at 5 p.m. as the Eagles conclude the tournament at 7 p.m. against the Trojans.

A Quick Look at the Eagles
Georgia Southern returns 10 players to the roster this season from a 2008 team that registered a 16-18 overall record under first-year head coach Chad Callihan. Southern Conference All-Freshman selection Bethany Sanford (Avondale, Ariz.) returns a sophomore for 2009 looking to help lead the Eagles to a Southern Conference title.

Five newcomers join the squad for the 2009 campaign. The Eagles were selected to finish 3rd in the South Division in the SoCon preseason coaches' poll released August 24.

Scouting Presbyterian College
Chris Belshe returns for his fourth year at the helm of the Blue Hose volleyball team, bringing back 10 lettermen and adding three freshmen to the team. The Blue Hose finished 2008 with a record of 13-21 and 6-10 in league play, and finished sixth in the standings of the Big South Conference.

Three starters and a libero return from last season's squad as the Blue Hose were picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches' poll.

Scouting Troy
Posting a 13-19 overall mark in 2008, and 4-13 in conference play, the Trojans look to improve in 2009 under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick. Picked to finish sixth in the East Division of the Sun Belt Preseason Poll, Troy adds five freshmen to the 2009 roster being led by two seniors.

Scouting Stetson
Stetson will look to rebound from a tough 2008 campaign under the direction of head coach Cheryl Carlson. The Hatters posted a 5-23 overall mark, including an Atlantic Sun Conference ledger of 2-18. Returning for her sixth year at the helm of the program, Carlson brings back four starters from the 2008 squad.

Volleyball Tailgate
The Volleyball Tailgate presented by the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation has been set for Saturday, August 29 prior to the Troy vs. Georgia Southern match. Hosted in the parking lot outside of Hanner Fieldhouse, all Georgia Southern fans holding a ticket to the 7 p.m. match can enjoy free food and drinks on behalf of the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation. The tailgate begins at 6 p.m. and Georgia Southern volleyball head coach Chad Callihan will address the fans before the Eagles take the court at 7 p.m.

Ticket Information
Season tickets for the 2009 Georgia Southern volleyball season are currently on sale at $15 for a general admission pass. A family plan, which includes two adult passes and two children passes, can be purchased for only $35. Single-game tickets are priced at $5 for an adult and $1 for youth (ages 3-12).

For more information regarding tickets, please call the Georgia Southern Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-GSU-WINS or visit the official website of the Georgia Southern Eagles at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.

Follow the Action
Visit the Holiday Inn Invitational Tournament page to follow all the action and get the most up-to-date scores and information. To view the page, please click here.