LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The 2011 Biola University volleyball season begins this weekend with four matches at the Cougar Classic, hosted by Azusa Pacific University.

The Eagles are coming off an impressive 2010 campaign which saw them reach the NAIA Quarterfinals for the ninth time in 10 national-tournament appearances and post a 28-10 overall record. In addition, Biola finished second in the always-tough GSAC with a 16-4 record. However, the team has a different look this year after replacing four seniors from last year's squad and adding six new faces.

Among the newcomers are a pair of NCAA Division I transfers in senior outside hitter Sarah McAtee from San Jose State University and Chelsee Arnitz from UC Riverside. Joining the duo are freshman middle blocker Amy Weststeyn and outside hitters Jaci Schork, Charley Parker and Rachel Kruger.

Leading the returning players is junior Christine Douglas--a 2010 NAIA All-American--who led the team in nearly every offensive category this season. She became the fifth player in program history to reach 500 kills in a season, recording 560 on the year, and averaged 3.92 kills per set while added 61 blocks, 140 digs, and 12 aces.

Douglas seemed to save her best for last, closing out the season by recording 100 kills in her final six matches, averaging 4.55 kills per set. She was also named to the 2010 NAIA All-Tournament team for her efforts.

"We are excited about the team we have put together this season," said Biola Head Coach Aaron Seltzer, who currently holds an overall record of 231-83 (.736 winning percentage) in nine seasons with the Eagles. "We have a lot of firepower on the outsides and a solid core on defense."

Biola's 2011 schedule is a formidable one, featuring four tournaments including hosting a tournament for the first time in program history. The Eagles open the 2011 season this weekend at the Azusa Pacific University Cougar Classic where they face a pair of ranked teams in No. 18 Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) and No. 19 Oklahoma Baptist University. 

The following weekend, Biola opens its doors for its first-ever home tournament which will feature No. 7 Lewis-Clark State College, No. 10 College of Idaho and No. 16 Bellevue University (Neb.)--all teams the Eagles will face in the tournament.

After playing in tournaments at Concordia University and Point Loma Nazarene University, Biola opens GSAC play on Sept. 13 with a home contest against The Master's College. Breaking up the conference schedule is a match against No. 4  University of Texas at Brownsville on October 27 and a trip to former GSAC rival California Baptist University to close out the regular season on Nov. 17. 

"Once again, we have one of the toughest schedules anywhere in the NAIA," said Seltzer. "Hopefully it will prepare us for the rigors of GSAC play and possibly another trip to the NAIA National Championships."