Anteaters open season Friday at San Diego State

The UC Irvine women’s volleyball team will open its season Friday by facing host San Diego State at 7 p.m. in the first of three matches at the San Diego State Tournament.

Coach Charlie Brande’s Anteaters, coming off a 21-11 season, are scheduled to meet the University of San Diego Saturday at 10 a.m., then conclude tournament play Saturday at 4 p.m. against Albany.

UCI, with all but one starter returning, is led by two-time first-team All-Big West Conference senior outside hitter Lauren Kellerman, as well as sophomore opposite Kari Pestolesi.

Pestolesi was the America Volleyball Coaches Assn. West Region and Big West Freshman of the Year in ’07, when she led the team in kills (491) and aces (40).

— From staff reports