LIVE STATS | GAME NOTES (,pdf)

The Northern State volleyball team begins its 2013 season Friday at the LaQuinta/Drury Kickoff Classic. The Wolves will play four games during the tournament with two on Friday and two Saturday at the O'Reilly Family Event Center in Springfield, Mo.

NSU's season opener comes against Union (Tenn.) at 11 a.m. Friday. The Lady Bulldogs recorded a 7-28 mark a season ago. Friday at 3 p.m. Northern will finish day one at the tournament against Lindenwood (Mo.), the Lions went 15-17 a season ago. Lindenwood returns 2012 All-MIAA honoree Kayla Guyot to this year's squad.

Saturday morning brings Arkansas Tech beginning at 9. The Golden Suns went 27-10 in 2012 and were runners-up in the Great American Conference.

The Wolves will end the tournament with host school Drury at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Panthers went 16-17 a year ago including a 4-0 record at the 2012 Kickoff Classic.

NSU enters its third season under Head Coach Brent Aldridge. The Wolves' 19-11 record in 2012 is their best mark since 2001 and the first time NSU has had a winning season since 2006.

Northern returns Second Team All-NSIC performers from a season ago in setter Drew Smith and outside hitter Kelsey Chambers. Smith was fifth in the conference with 11.44 assists per set. Chambers was second on the team a year ago with 292 and was third in hitting percentage (.236) and total blocks (53).

The Wolves are 2-0 in season openers under Aldridge. NSU defeated Chadron state 3-0 in last year's Northern State Invitational. In 2011, the Wolves picked up a 3-1 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State at the Nebraska Omaha Showcase.