PORTLAND, Ore. – The Multnomah University women's volleyball team kicks off their second year in the NAIA on the road as they head to Redding, Calif., for the Simpson Classic.
 
MU will start their play on Friday against Pacific Union and Simpson, while on Saturday, they take on New Hope Christian and West Coast Baptist.
 
Last Year: In their first season as members of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the Lions finished 3-21 overall, with all three wins coming in non-conference play against New Hope Christian.
 
Sophomore setter Marissa Rhodes shined in her first season with the Lions, recording 489 assists and earning the eighth best assists per set average in the conference at 7.04. She also tallied a team high 18 service aces. Patty Batoon, now a junior middle blocker, was the big attacker for the Lions in 2015, totaling 252 kills with an average of 3.65 kills per set.
 
Errors were a continuous problem for the Lions last year as they finished with a serve percentage of .840 while they also struggled at the net, totaling 66 blocks in the season.
 
New Look in 2016: MU volleyball has a different look heading into head coach Jenna Bouey's second year at the helm. Returning only five players from her first squad, Bouey brought in seven new players including three junior college transfers.
 
Returning are Rhodes, Batoon, senior setter Brittany Bowling, senior libero Kiana Miller and sophomore outsider Miranda Halverson.
 
"We have a very positive outlook on this season. We added seven new girls, so we practically have a new team," said Coach Bouey. "We also have a new assistant coach as well, and Kirsten brings a lot of wisdom to the program. We are hoping to surprise a lot of people this year and honor God by pursuing excellence.
 
CCC Outlook: When the NAIA released the 2016 Tachikara-NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll, the Cascade Conference featured three teams in the top 25 and one team receiving votes. Eastern Oregon was ranked No. 8 followed by College of Idaho at No. 11 and Southern Oregon at No. 18 while Northwest received votes.
 
In the conference preseason poll, Eastern was picked to win the regular season with nine first place votes (117 points) followed by C of I and Southern Oregon in second and third respectively. MU finished last in the poll with 16 points.
 
 
2016 Simpson Classic
 
Simpson:
-SU opens up their season with their Classic after finishing 13-13 overall last year
-During last year's Classic, Simpson finished 4-3, splitting with CCC opponent Walla Walla in while losing both contests to Northwest Christian.
-Members of the Cal-Pac conference, the Red Hawks finished 5-5 in conference play last year
-SU finished 1-4 overall against CCC opponents last year
 
Pacific Union:
-Also a member of the Cal-Pac, the Pioneers dropped their opening match of the year to William Jessup, 0-3
-Last year Pacific Union finished 13-14 overall, going 3-7 in conference play
-MU hosted Pacific Union in 2014, losing to the Pioneers in three sets (25-12, 25-11, and 25-10)
 
New Hope Christian:
-Last season, New Hope Christian lost all three matches to the Lions including a sweeps and two 3-1 losses.
-The Deacons finished 4-19 overall last season
 
West Coast Baptist:
-West Coast is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association
-WCB participated in the Simpson Classic last year, falling to the host in three straight sets