10 matches against schools with winning records last season, two ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association South Region Poll last season, highlight the upcoming 2008 Roanoke Volleyball schedule. Coming off the school's third 20-win season in program history, the Maroons look to continue their success and make some noise in the ODAC.

Opening the season with a pair of tournaments, the Maroons face tournament-host Averett in the Cougar Classic to start the year. The Cougars won 25 games a year ago. The following week the women will host the Maroon Classic.

Southern Virginia, an NAIA school that placed-third in the USCAA National Tournament, is the Maroons next opponent on Sept. 9. The Knights won 31 games last season, a 25-game turnaround from last season.

After a non-conference game at Mary Baldwin, Roanoke opens up its ODAC schedule at home against Washington & Lee, who has won the ODAC every year since 2001. The Generals have won the ODAC every year since 1995 except 1996 and 2000.

The Maroons are on the road for their next three ODAC matches against Eastern Mennonite, Bridgewater and Randolph-Macon. The Eagles of Bridgewater went undefeated (10-0) in conference play and finished 31-2 with a runner-up finish in the ODAC Tournament.

The Maroons travel to Catholic University to play in a tournament on Oct. 11. After playing Stevenson (formerly Villa Julie), Catholic will be next. Both teams won over 20 games last season.

The next four matches will be held in the friendly confines of the Bast Center. The first two will be against ODAC competition (Sweet Briar and Lynchburg). The next two non-conference games will not be easy as Greensboro and Southern Virginia for a second time. Lynchburg, Greensboro and Southern Virginia all finished with winning seasons in 2007.

The women wrap-up the 2008 regular-season against Guilford and Virginia Intermont before the ODAC Tournament on Nov. 7-8 at Hollins University. The Maroons will try to make it to the championship match for a fourth time and the first since 2001.

Head coach Blair Trail has won more games (166) than any other coach in program history and has brought the program to another level since she joined the staff in 1999. She is currently second among active ODAC coaches in wins.

The Maroons finished fourth in the ODAC last season and posted a 20-13 mark. They return senior captains Lauren Reznik and Marcy Conner along with junior Libero Caitlyn Long and fellow junior outside hitter Erin Burnop. Conner has impressed coach Trail this summer and pre-season as she has honed her skills in the middle immensely. Look for her to have the breakout year. Reznik, the heart and soul of the team, represents her team well with her strong will and work-ethic. She is also the vocal leader and will give all she has on the court.

Long broke her own single-season digs mark and is currently third all-time in career digs. She also led the team in services aces last season. Her intensity is contagious and will rub off on her teammates more this season. Burnop led the team in attacks (837) and was third in kills (268) and block solos (17). She has worked hard in the off-season and looks to improve her play even more this season, stepping into a new role on opposite this season.

Sophomore defensive specialist Emily Martin was a newcomer that made an immediate impact in 2007. She finished the season with 11 kills, 19 assists, 26 service aces (third on team) and 260 digs, second on the team. The Maroons will rely on her defense as she has a good read in the back and can cover the court well. She will also see time at libero this season.

Top newcomers include setter Kate Feldman with outside hitters Maggie Wagner and Kelsey Largen. All three are from Roanoke, with Wagner and Largen joining fellow Cave Spring product Caitlyn Long and Feldman from Patrick Henry H.S. Feldman will lead the offense this season. Already used to a fast-paced offensive attack, she is a solid defender and brings intensity to the court.

Wagner is a sophomore transfer from Div. I Radford University and will immediately make a strong impact at the outside hitter position. A versatile athlete, she has a lot of power, range and blocking ability as she can play either outside or opposite hitter. Largen, along with Wagner, have competed at the highest level, as both were a big part of two state championship runs in high school. Her vertical is the highest on the team, which is due to her experience on the track team in high school as a jumper. An aggressive hitter, she has great shot selection and will easily adjust to the fast-paced offense. A phenomenal athlete, Largen's experience along with her skills above the net will pay dividends for the Maroons this fall.