LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola's Golden State Athletic Conference competition season kicks off on Saturday night when the Eagles take on The Master's. The teams meet at 7 p.m. in the Chase Gymnasium, Biola's fifth home match of the year.
 
BU is 9-0 through the first month of the season and has climbed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' rankings from No. 4 to No. 3. The Master's sits at 10-2 and has fallen from ninth to 22^nd in the national polls.
 
Both programs began their year at the 2013 Biola Volleyball/Red Lion Summer Slam. The Eagles swept their way through the home tournament, ending 4-0 against teams who now combine for a 25-22 overall record.
 
The Master's ended the tournament 3-1 after getting wins over Lewis-Clark State, College of Idaho and William Jessup, and losing to Davenport. The Mustangs defeated LCSC 3-2 and CI 3-1. The Eagles defeated the same two teams 3-0 and 3-1.
 
Since leaving the tournament the Eagles have participated in two other tournaments and dropped only one set in five matches. Their last action consisted of two wins at the Vanguard University Tournament.
 
The Mustangs have gone 7-1 since leaving Chase Gymnasium and have dropped eight sets in that span. Their sole loss came at the hands of Menlo College during the Menlo Invitational two weeks ago. Menlo is currently 5-4 with losses coming to Southern Oregon, Vanguard, Wayland Baptist and UC Santa Cruz.
 
The Eagles enter the match with the statistical advantage as they have a higher kills pre set ratio (14.2 to 12.8), a higher attack percentage (.254 to .238) and they are superior in blocking as well (22 to 14 solo, 88-63 asst).
 
Amy Weststeyn leads the Eagles with 101 kills in the preseason, newcomer Alyssa Mason is not to far behind with 91. The middle blocker and outside hitter will need to be at the top of their game to get a win in their first conference matchup as teammates.
 
They will look to outwit TMC's talented defensive specialist Rebecca Peluffo who already has over 200 digs this season.
 
The Eagles and Mustangs will leave it all on the court tomorrow night, Sept. 21, in Chase Gymnasium at 7 p.m.