MINOT, N.D. – It's volleyball season and the Beavers hit the court today to get things underway, playing a pair of matches on the road at Montana State Billings' Yellowjacket Volleyball Invitational.

And now in her second season leading Minot State, coach Alex Lehocky is looking forward to the new campaign.

"We're definitely looking forward to getting started," she said. "We had a scrimmage this past weekend at UMary and there were some really, really good things and some things we need to work on. Hopefully, we fine-tuned them this week in practice and we're ready to go for our opener."

The openers come against Southeastern Oklahoma State, today, and the host Yellowjackets tonight, then the Beavers play Black Hills State and Lubbock Christian on Saturday.

Friday's action gives the Beavers a chance to build some early-season momentum as the Savage Storm won just four matches and the Yellowjackets seven last season.

Of course, Minot State is focused more on its own game as 11 players return and Coach Lehocky added four transfers, which include star junior-college players Maggie Machado, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter who was 12^th in the nation in attacks last fall, Bailee Brommenschenkel, a 6-1 middle blocker and 1^st Team All-Region selection, and 5-8 libero Milena Cernjanski who was 1^st Team all-conference.

Machado pounded out 351 kills last season and is a six-rotation player, while Brommenschenkel recorded 632 kills and 339 blocks in her career at North Dakota State College of Science, and Cernjanski had 685 career digs at New Mexico Junior College.

They join last season's top returning Beavers in senior Jenna Pahlen, juniors Emily Kotelnikoff and Kendall Braun, and sophomores Jaina Macaulay and Viktoria Sedova.

Kotelnikoff is a 5-10 junior outside hitter who was third on the team in kills (137) and blocks (34), while Pahlen is a 5-11 middle blocker who led the team in blocks (54) and was fourth in kills (101).

Sedova, a 5-5 libero, and Braun, a 5-3 libero, led the defense with 171 digs and 169, respectively, and Jaina Macaulay, a 5-7 setter, led the way in assists with 363.

"They are meshing well together," Lehocky said of the newcomers and returners. "All the kids I recruited are transfers so they come with a wealth of knowledge that is really helping these other girls grow and excel."

All with the expectation of good things ahead, which starts with the trip to Montana.

"I expect a lot of energy, they are eager to play," Lehocky said of this weekend's opening tournament. "They're a competitive team so they're going to be very competitive matches.

"I'm just excited to see it all come together," she added. "We've been working very hard these last two weeks in preseason and they deserve a lot this season, so I'm excited for them."

The opening weekend of the season continues Saturday with matches against Black Hills State and Lubbock Christian before the Beavers head to Texas for another tournament, this one hosted by Lubbock Christian.

Minot State makes its home debut Homecoming Weekend, hosting St. Cloud State in both teams' NSIC opener on Friday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. at the MSU Dome. The Beavers wrap up Homecoming Weekend hosting Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. at the MSU Dome.