LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- After starting last season almost 4,000 miles away from home in Fairbanks, Alaska, it should seem like a short trip for the Bellarmine University volleyball team this weekend as they begin their 2011 campaign with a trip to Memphis for the Christian Brothers Fall Classic.

During their stay, the Knights will play four games in two days as they square off against American International and Henderson State on Saturday and follow up with West Georgia and Arkansas-Monticello on Sunday. American International could prove to be the toughest competition as they are coming off a NCAA tournament appearance last season and return five starters.

This season the Knights will be led by a mixture of veterans and youth as the roster is made up of no seniors, seven juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen. Among the key returnees for the Knights is last year's Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Krista Gibson and sophomore setter Bailey BredenbeckCorp

Coach Dan Palmer will also have the luxury of having returnees Paula Byrns and Alyson Harmeling back. Last season, the duo was first and second on the team in blocked shots as they combined for 131 during the season. The Knights will also look toward 6-1 freshman Erika Isham to become a force at the net.

Bellarmine was picked fifth in the east division in the GLVC preseason Coaches Poll, with Lewis University tabbed as the favorite, Missouri-St. Louis was voted as the favorite in the west division.

After competing in the Christian Brothers Fall Classic the Knights will return home for their home opener on Sept. 9 against GLVC foe Southern Indiana, first serve is 7:00 PM.