ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Volleyball begins a new season with new expectations this weekend when they travel to Kansas City for four games in the Rockhurst Tournament.

This week's schedule:
Friday, Sept. 5, noon: vs. University of Findlay
Friday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m.: vs. Rockhurst University
Saturday, Sept. 6, noon: vs. East Central University
Saturday, Sept. 6, 2:30 p.m.: vs. William Jewell College

Live stats will be available for select matches through the Rockurst Athletics website

Scouting the Griffons
Marian Carbin wasted no time raising the bar for Griffon Volleyball in her first season as head coach. After taking over the program she once played for, Carbin led the Griffons to their first winning record since 2006. The Griffons finished sixth in the MIAA standings, with a winning record in conference play for the first time since 2000.
While the program may expect to achieve more, the MIAA coaches have pegged the Griffons to finish exactly where they left off in 2013. Tasked with raising the bar is a host of returning players. Erica Rottinghaus is back after a First Team All-MIAA performance in 2013. Amanda Boender, Sarah Faubel and Kelsey Olion are also back after being named All-MIAA Honorable Mention last season.

The numbers show the Griffons should have no problem keeping pace, if not exceeding last season's heights. Of the Griffons' top-10 scorers in 2013, eight are back for 2014, including the top-three. Back from injury are Melissa Cairns Jessie Thorup. Carbin says having the duo back and healthy should provide the team even more fire power. Thorup was named Honorable Mention All-MIAA in 2012.

Findlay
The Oilers, who have made two straight trips to the GLIAC Tournament and posted their first 20-win season since the 2006 campaign last year, will be led by senior setter Amanda Calhoun.

Calhoun accumulated 1,087 assists, 209 digs, 132 kills and 25 aces last year for Findlay.  She ranks sixth all-time at UF with 2,243 assists.

Senior Samantha Granger also returns and will fill a variety of roles for the Oilers. As a junior, Granger racked up 213 digs, a team-high 41 aces and 49 kills. Junior middle blocker Julie Lyons will be back after posting 169 kills, 89 blocks and 34 aces while junior right side Andrea Roach returns after scoring 131 kills.  Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Tong will also be counted on to build on her freshman year as she produced 184 kills in only 24 matches.
 
Rockhurst
Rockhurst returns all but one starter from last year's 26-7 team, which captured the West Division crown with a 15-3 GLVC record. Top returnees include sophomore outside hitter Morgan Rietzke (3.30 kills and 2.77 digs per set), junior middle hitter Katie Loescher (2.69 kills and 0.92 blocks per set), junior right side hitter Alyssa Arnold (2.56 kills and 3.53 digs per set), senior outside hitter Maggie Hummel (2.42 kills per set) and junior setter Whitney Kostal (10.99 assists and 2.59 digs per set).
 
East Central
The Lady Tigers return eight players from last year's roster after also losing eight, but the look on the floor will be much different as only one starter returners.  Junior Hayley Gerken is the lone starter to return after finishing second on the team in kills (267) and first in hitting percentage (.222) in 2013.
 
William Jewell
The William Jewell College volleyball team enter this season in a bit of a transition mode, looking to improve on a disappointing 2013, with a new Head Coach.
 
The team was picked to finish eighth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference's West Division in the pre-season coaches' poll. The Cardinals welcome back 10 players including three seniors, two juniors, five sophomores and eight first-year players. Coach Raynes is looking to some of the eight incoming players to come in and compete and push players for playing time.