Game Information
When	Game 1 - vs. Drake University: Friday, Aug. 26 - 10 a.m. Game 2 - vs. Bethune-Cookman University: Friday, Aug. 26 - 4:30 p.m. Game 3 - at University of North Florida: Saturday, Aug. 27 - 2:30 p.m. Game 4 - at Florida Atlantic University: Saturday, Aug. 27 - 7 p.m.
Where	Boca Raton, Fla.  |  FAU Arena
Broadcast/Stats	Game 1   |  Live Stats Game 2  |  Live Stats Game 3  |  Live Stats Game 4  |  Live Stats  |  Live Stream (Free)
Notes	Northeastern
Social Media	Twitter - @GoNUwvolleyball Facebook - facebook.com/GoNUwvolleyball Instagram - GoNUwvolleyball Use #GoNU

BOSTON - The Northeastern women's volleyball team is set to open the 2016 season this weekend at the Florida Atlantic University Invitational in Boca Raton, Fla. This is the first time the Huskies will participate in the FAU Invite against four completely new opponents.
 
Over the two-day tournament, the Red and Black will compete in four contests. On Fri., Aug. 26, the Huskies will take on the Drake University Bulldogs at 10 a.m. and the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. The following day, the Huskies will face-off against the North Florida Ospreys at 2:30 p.m. and will take on the tournament host Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m.
 
Season Preview
After a challenging 2015 season where the Huskies posted a 6-25 (3-13 CAA) record, this year's squad looks to improve that mark with 11 returning members and five accomplished newcomers.  Despite some tough losses, the team had the most success when it pushed its opponents to five sets. On Nov. 5 the Huskies defeated CAA leader James Madison in five sets. Through the 2016 campaign, the Huskies will face six new opponents and eight familiar foes in addition to CAA conference play. Both New Hampshire and UNCW qualified for the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

Drake University
The Drake Bulldogs finished 2015 15-20 and 6-12 in conference play. Notable wins included a sweep of the WIU Invitational where the Bulldogs went 4-0 to open the season.
 
Bethune-Cookman University
Bethune-Cookman, a veteran participant in the FAU Invite, finished 2015 undefeated in conference play, a first in program history. They've also been selected to repeat as MEAC champs in 2016.
 
University of North Florida
North Florida posted a 21-11 record in 2015, defeating fellow invite participants Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlantic. The Ospreys were just one victory shy of a program record in single-season wins.
 
Florida Atlantic University
Tournament host Florida Atlantic went 18-11 in 2015 including a win against NCAA Tournament participant Lipscomb. At last season's FAU Invitational, the Owls downed all four opponents in straight sets.
 
Preseason Honors
For the third consecutive year, senior captain Jamie Bredahl has earned preseason All-CAA honors. During her 2015 campaign, she recorded 13 double-doubles and three triple-doubles, which ranked eighth in the nation and first in the CAA. Bredahl also tallied her 500th career kill, 500th career dig and 1,000th career assist during the season. Her 35 service aces were good for fourth in the CAA and in the top 150 nationally.
 
In the Classroom
Off the court, the Huskies continue to prove that being a student comes first.
For the fourth semester in a row (Spring 2016) the volleyball team finished with the department's highest women's team GPA (3.628) and is one of Northeastern's eight varsity programs with a perfect 100% NCAA Graduation Success Rate. Five Huskies, Ashlee Asada, Jamie Bredahl, Kristen Walding,
 Gabrielle Eyl, and Sherrie Wang earned Top Dog honors during the 2015-16 academic year. Top Dog Honors are earned by student-athletes with a 3.8 GPA or higher.
 
Coach Nichols
Ken Nichols enters his 17th season as head coach of the Huskies. Over his career, he has marked 13 winning seasons including eight straight from 2006-2013. His record with the Red and Black now stands at 277-209 (.570).
 
NU Kids on the Block
The Huskies welcome five freshmen, all from California, to the 2016 roster.  Middle blockers Shaina White (Mission Viejo), Natalie Shollin (Corona) and Amy Underdown (Temecula) are all expected to add some depth to the Huskies' front line. Prior to Northeastern, Shollin and Underdown competed for the same club team in Wildomar, Calif. Defensive specialists Nicole Magbanua (San Diego) and Clare Lund (Pasadena) are also expected to immediately challenge for playing time.