SEASIDE, Calif. -- After its most successful nonconference performance at the NCAA Division II level (see below) the Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team will look to match that effort as it begins its always arduous California Collegiate Athletic Association campaign this weekend. The Otters hit the road to face 2011 NCAA Regional finalist Sonoma State Friday (Sept. 14) and San Francisco State Saturday (Sept. 15).

"I am proud of what we accomplished this preseason in eight matches against several quality regional opponents,” says CSUMB Head Coach Jody Garry. “We were tested, pushed and ultimately learned a lot about each other and who we are as a team. I look forward to starting conference this weekend. We are on the road for the next four matches and I believe  my young group is up for the challenge.”

• Sonoma received votes in this week's AVCA Top 25.
• Sonoma leads the all–time series 13–3.
• Sonoma leads the series in Rohnert Park, 7–1
• Sonoma has won 9 straight in the series dating back to 2007.
• CSUMB's last win over Sonoma came in The Kelp Bed on Sept. 19, 2007.
• CSUMB's last win in Rohnert Park came on Oct. 1, 2005.

• SFSU leads the series 5–3.
• The series in San Francisco is tied 2–2.
• SFSU swept the series in 2011.
• CSUMB's last win in the series came in The Kelp Bed on Nov. 2, 2010.
• CSUMB's last win at SFSU came on Sept. 21, 2010.
• The Otters and Gators have played 5 common opponents in 2012 and both own a 4–1 record in those matches.

The Otters opened CCAA play with a sweep of Cal St. Stanislaus on Sept. 11, 2009. Rheann Fall's 17 kills that night rank No. 7 in the CSUMB Record Book for a 3–set match.

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FOR (CCAA) OPENERS: CSUMB is 3–6 all–time in California Collegiate Athletic Association openers, including a 25–19, 25–20, 25–17 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sept. 9, 2011. When opening CCAA play on the road, CSUMB is 0–3.

HONOR ROLL: Sophomore outside hitter Julia Ashen became the first Otter to earn an honor this season when she was named to the Route 92 Showdown All–Tournament team. Ashen led CSUMB to a 3–1 record at the tournament. She posted double–figure kills in all four matches, including 20 in a five–set win over Academy of Art.

NEARLY FLAWLESS: Freshman outside hitter Jessica Malcolm enjoyed a nearly flawless attacking performance at the Route 92 Showdown. The freshman outside hitter made just seven attack errors in 119 swings, finishing the weekend with an impressive .319 attack percentage.

STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT: The Otters finished the nonconference portion of their schedule with a 6–2 record. It is the second best start in CSUMB volleyball history, trailing only the 10–1 start of the 2010 team. The six nonconference wins are the most Division II nonconference wins in school history. The previous record was three (3–2) in 2009.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: This CSUMB volleyball season is blending the old with the new as eight newcomers join eight returning players on the 2012 roster. Seven of the eight newcomers are freshmen.