The Seattle University volleyball team began spring practices early Monday morning as it prepares for its first season in the Western Athletic Conference next fall.

The spring roster for the Redhawks features 10 players, all of whom saw action during the 2011 season. Kaytlyn Dill (Bothell, Wash.), second on the team with 210 kills and 17 service aces, will provide veteran leadership, as will classmates Karina Miastkowska (Northbrook, Ill.) and Kelly Biette (Brighton, Colo.).

Sarah Jaeckel (Littleton, Colo.) was third in kills with 137 during the 2011 campaign, followed by Allison Farley (Happy Valley, Ore.) with 108 kills, plus she earned a .283 hitting percentage and was second on the squad with 71 total blocks.

Allie Hoskins (Colorado Springs, Colo.) took over as the team's libero during the season and ended up with a team-high 221 defensive digs, with Lani Beadle (Seattle, Wash.) third on the team with 160 digs. Jacquie Brice (Fullerton, Calif.) saw time as the setter during the 2011 campaign, finishing with 157 assists. Karli Pedone (Granite Bay, Calif.) continued to make contributions when she was called upon, and Alec Goodrie (Springfield, Ore.) concluded a solid freshman season with 87 kills and 38 total blocks.

The team will see opposing competition right away, heading to Pullman, Wash., for a single-day tournament hosted by Washington State Saturday, April 7, starting at 9 a.m. Besides the host Cougars, the Redhawks will also face future conference foe Idaho as well as Montana State, Eastern Washington, and Boise State. Seattle U will also compete in the Central Washington Spring Tournament Saturday, April 28. The Redhawks face Western Washington in Bellingham, Wash., Friday, May 4, before hosting Seattle Pacific at the Connolly Center Wednesday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m.

The Seattle U volleyball team will begin competition in the Western Athletic Conference in the 2012 season and will be eligible for the conference tournament title as well as the accompanying automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.