Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Volleyball team will begin the 2018 campaign this Friday when it opens play at the Hilton Penn's Landing Temple Invitational at Temple University. 

The Pride will face Loyola Marymount on Friday at 3 p.m. before taking on Rhode Island at 2 p.m. on Saturday and then closing tournament play with a 7 p.m. match against the host Owls on Saturday. 

There will be live statistics for all three matches and live video for the Pride's match against Temple. 

Hofstra is coming off an 18-win season a year ago and has high expectations this season as the Pride return 11 players off last season's roster, including all seven starters. 

Leading the way among the returnees is preseason Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Laura Masciullo. She was joined on the preseason All-CAA squad by senior Michela Rucli, while junior Luisa Sydlik is back as well after a stellar second season in a Pride uniform. 

Masciullo, a junior, led Hofstra with 446 kills a year ago, while Rucli posted 249 kills and 131 blocks. Sydlik notched a team-best 1,358 assists. 

This will mark the first-ever meeting with Loyola Marymount. Hofstra is 5-6 all-time against Rhode Island and 10-5 against Temple. The Pride last faced the Rams in 2012 and most recently faced the Owls in 2015. 

Following the tournament at Temple, Hofstra will host its home opener on Tuesday, August 28 when it entertains Long Island rival Stony Brook at 7 p.m. That match will take place at the David S. Mack Fitness Center.