Oakland, CA - The women's volleyball team comes into this year with a solid core of athletes returning. They lose two middles in Michelle Myers and Kendra Vasquez from last year's team, but bring in 5 solid players. The recruiting class includes two new middles, freshman Rachel Vartarian and junior Cheyenne Hamby both measuring at least 6 feet. Last season the Hawks finished 13-17 overall and 9-3 in California Pacific Conference play. They lost to the Oaks of Menlo College in the California Pacific Conference Tournament Championship, and will look to improve on that this year.

They begin with a tough Raiders team of Southern Oregon University. The Raiders lose three players from last year's 17-1 conference record and 24-4 overall record. They finished the season ranked #13 in the country and were knocked out in their conference tournament by College of Idaho. The Hawks will have their hands full in Ashland, OR as the Raiders have also revamped themselves bringing in four solid players to this year's already loaded team.

The Hawks then travel to Azusa to play in the Azusa Pacific Cougar Classic.Holy Names plays two double headers against Viterbo University and The Masters College on day one and host Azusa Pacific University and San Diego Christian College on day two. For the Hawks this will be a tough tournament as they take on three GSAC teams and one solid Viterbo team as well. If there was a place to make a statement this would be the tournament.

The GSAC had 8 of its 11 teams ranked in the top 25 in the country last year. Both San Diego Christian College and The Masters College finished at the bottom of their conference, but night in and night out they played against top competition. This would be a great opportunity for the Hawks to show they can compete.

The Cougars of Azusa Pacific, who were ranked #5 in the country with an overall record of 28-9, will be returning 11 players this season. The Hawks of Viterbo University play in the Midwest Collegiate Conference and finished last season with an impressive 31-11 record. After a five game thriller against MCC National qualifier Saint Ambrose University the Hawks ended their season and with only two seniors on last season team the Hawks are set-up to do the same this year.

The Hawks then return home for a three game stint. Holy Names starts off with a scrimmage against CCAA affiliate CSU Stanislaus. Two days later they play their second Cascade Conference member in Oregon Institute of Technology. The Owls finished last season 6-12 in conference play and 7-19 overall. They return 11 players from last year's team. Rounding off the home stint of games will be West Coast Baptist, who plays in the Pacific Christian Athletic Conference in Southern California.

Next, the Hawks hit the road once again, this time to Arizona to take on Sooner Athletic Conference member Wayland Baptist University and Independent member Emery Riddle. The Pioneers of Wayland University finished last year with a conference record of 8-6 and an overall record of 21-9. They lose only two players from last season's team.

The Eagles of Emery Riddle finished last year with a disappointing 3-12 record and will look to improve this year only losing one player from last year's team.

The Hawks then return to the Bay Area for a much needed 10 day rest, and have only one more road game before starting Cal Pac play. This time playing Pac West member Notre Dame de Namur University, who last year finished the year at a low 11-22 and finished 6th in the Pac West.

Holy Names starts Cal Pac Conference play on the road against Menlo College and Bethany University. The Oaks defeated the Hawks last year in the Cal Pac Tournament Championship game, something that is still fresh in their memories. Beating Menlo to start conference would be a big morale and confidence booster. The Bruins were no match for the Hawks last year as the Hawks sweep the Bruins 3-0 each time.

Two other notable non conference games are against the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz and the Urban Knights of Academy of Art University, San Francisco. Last year the Hawks went 5 exciting games with these two reputable NCAA II and III teams. The Banana Slugs will be both an early and late test for the Hawks, as they play UC Santa Cruz only two games into the regular season and two games prior to the end of the regular season. The Urban Knights will be a middle of the season test for the Hawks as they play them two games after the first round of conference game.

The rest of the teams in conference return pretty young teams, including a much improved Pacific Union College team. William Jessup University loses the most as they lose 5 players from last year's 2nd place team. Simpson University will be carrying a slew of juniors and freshman and will look to finish better than their much improved 4th place finish last year.

Come out and support your Hawks!