DENVER - This afternoon marks the first of Denver's three games this weekend at the College Park Maverick Classic, held Friday and Saturday in Arlington, Texas. The Pioneers start off their matches against Jackson State at 3 p.m. MT, followed by Incarnate Word and Texas-Arlington tomorrow at 10 a.m. MT and 6 p.m. MT, respectively.

Check out the weekend preview HERE, and follow UTA Athletics for game updates.

HEAD COACH Jesse Mahoney

University of Denver head coach Jesse Mahoney is into his third campaign at the helm. Working on a tenth-straight winning season of his career, Mahoney will look to surpass last year's record of 17-13 which saw the Pioneers make The Summit League Tournament Championship game. With 196 career wins already to his name, Mahoney enters the 2014 season with a 34-26 DU record, and a 196-77 career record. The volleyball journeyman also spent seven seasons assisting Colorado State's volleyball team, amassing a 162-51 record which included seven NCAA Tournament appearances and five Mountain West Conference championships.

2014 SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL

After finishing runner-up in both the regular season and at the league tournament last year, Denver was picked to win the Summit League in the 2014 Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll, followed by Fort Wayne and IUPUI. The Pioneers went 8-4 in league play and 17-13 overall last season. The Pioneers received 60 points and six first-place votes in the poll.

RETURNERS

The Pioneers return six players to the 2014 squad after seeing nine depart last year. These include junior Sarah Schmid, who finished No. 68 in the nation and No. 6 in the Pioneer record books in hitting percentage (.350), as well as sophomore Moni Corrujedo, who was named to The Summit League All-Freshman Team and was an All-League Honorable Mention.

SCOUTING JACKSON STATE

The Lady Tigers return 10 players from 2014, in addition to its five freshmen who will debut this season. Junior Mikayla Rolle comes fresh off being named to the 2013 Conference All-Tournament Team, and as SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The Tigers are predicted to finish third in their conference.

SENIORS

Denver will rely on its two seniors, Kate Acker and Bailey Karst, to help usher in the newcomers. Last season, Acker led the team with 420 digs, averaging 3.96 per set, and was named The Summit League Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 18. While Karst sat out six matches due to injury, she was named to the Pioneer Classic All-Tournament Team, UIC All-Tournament Team and led the Pioneers with 10.44 assists-per-set.

EIGHT NEW FACES

With the departure of DU's talented senior class, including Faimie Kingsley who was recently named assistant coach at Columbia, Mahoney and his staff have added eight players to the 2014 roster, including six freshmen. Pepperdine transfer Monique Domme is a promising addition in the setter position, appearing in 24 matches and 81 sets for the Waves after being named an AVCA Under Armour All-American Second Team honoree in high school. Penn State transfer Erica Denney was a late addition, and will occupy the sole middle hitter position. Of the freshmen, Mahoney added two Colorado natives, and one player of each California, Indiana, New York and Texas to his roster during the signing period.

MAKE IT NATIONAL

Coming off a bid for the Conference title, Denver looks to return once again to the postseason, setting its sights toward the elusive NCAA Tournament. Mahoney is no stranger to the national stage, having helped his CSU Rams to seven straight appearances, and along with 2014 NORCECA Championships-winning assistant head coach Tom Hogan and assistant Katelin Batten aims to see his Pioneers bring home the trophy for the 2014 season.

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