NEWARK, DE -- The Blue Hen volleyball team will open the 2007-08 University of Delaware athletics season on Friday as UD hosts the 31st annual Delaware Volleyball Invitational at Barbara Viera Court at Carpenter Sports Building.

The Blue Hen women, coming off a 21-7 record in 2006 when Delaware advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association, will host Boston College, South Carolina, and Binghamton in the four-team field. Delaware, which opened the 2006 season with a 12-0 mark, is the defending tournament champion.

South Carolina will take on Binghamton in the opener Friday, Aug. 24 at 4:30 p.m. followed by Delaware taking on Boston College at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 25, South Carolina will take on Boston College at 11 a.m. followed by Delaware vs. Binghamton at 1 p.m., Binghamton vs. Boston College at 5 p.m., and Delaware vs. South Carolina at 7 p.m.

Admission is $4 per day for adults and $2 for children 17 and under. Delaware students with valid identification will be admitted free of charge.

The Blue Hens, led by sixth-year head coach Bonnie Kenny (at right), were picked No. 3 in the recently announced CAA Pre-Season Coaches Poll behind defending champion Hofstra and James Madison.

The Blue Hens welcome back six letterwinners and four starters from last year’s team that posted a record of 21-7, including the 12-0 start. Delaware placed fifth in the CAA regular season standings with an 11-7 record and advanced to the CAA Tournament semifinals.

Junior Kelly Gibson earned first team All-CAA honors last season when she registered 4.3 kills and 4.0 digs per game and posted a hitting percentage of .235 while senior Colleen Walsh was a second team All-CAA pick after collecting a league-high 4.7 kills per game, hitting at a .290 clip, and recording 2.0 digs per game.
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Also leading the Hens are senior setter Megan Welch, who led the CAA with 13.42 assists per game a year ago, and sophomore Michelle LaLonde, who earned CAA All-Rookie honors after hitting .308 and posting 2.58 kills per game.