SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The new-look Western New England College women's volleyball team jumps into action Friday and Saturday (Aug. 31-Sept. 1) by hosting its annual WNEC Classic in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

The Golden Bears play a pair of matches Friday against Westfield State at 5:00 p.m. and Mitchell (Conn.) at 7.

WNEC also will have two matches on Saturday vs. Keene State at 11:00 a.m. and Western Connecticut at 4.

Leading Western New England College this season are senior co-captains Kayte Devine (New Fairfield, CT) and Ashley O'Keefe (South Dennis, MA).

Devine, who also is a standout on the women's lacrosse squad, is the president of the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. A right side attack player, She was third on the team in kills (218) last season.

O'Keefe ranks among the top players in the region after making the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) First Team for the third consecutive season. She plays both the outside hitter and middle blocker positions. O'Keefe was second in kills (258) and blocks (80), and third in both digs (253) and service aces (44).

Second-year coach Charlie Haer is excited about his seven newcomers (including five freshmen) who could make an immediate impact on the program.

Last year Haer led the team to an 18-13 record in its final season in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).

The Golden Bears will compete as new members of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) starting in 2007.