CARSON – Coming off 14 wins - the most in as many years – a season ago and finishing in a three-way tie for third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association South Division, the Cal State Dominguez Hills volleyball team will look to elevate from both to make another run towards the postseason as the Toros' 2018 campaign begins this weekend at Cal State San Marcos' Cougar Classic.
 
The Toros take on Lewis Friday at 1 p.m. followed by Nebraska at Kearney (9 a.m.) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (4 p.m.) on Saturday.
 
There is a bit of uniqueness to 2018 year in the NCAA Division II ranks as it is the association's annual 'Festival Year,' an Olympic-style event in which a number of national championships are held at a single site over several days. This allows volleyball programs across the nation to start preseason a week earlier than usual in preparation for the season opener this weekend. Normally, the volleyball season begins the first weekend of September.
 
Eight-year head coach Jennifer Adeva has used this opportunity to build a cohesion by activities on and off the court that could help them achieve success as they set to play another brutal schedule in the CCAA South Division.
 
Here are senior libero Cathryn Lopez and Adeva talking about the preseason and their thoughts on this year's team.