Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (August 28, 2008) - The #24 nationally ranked Nova Southeastern University volleyball team kicks off their 2008 season by hosting the 3rd Annual Sharks Classic on Friday, August 29th and Saturday, August 30th. The tournament will feature 18 matches over the two days between eight NCAA Division II volleyball teams.

Joining the Sharks in the Classic are Lynn University, Barry University, 2007 elite eight participant Dowling College, University of California (PA), #12 Southwest Minnesota State University, Alderson-Broaddus College and University of Puerto-Rico Rio Piedras.

In 2007, NSU climbed from all the way from eighth in the Sunshine State Conference pre-season poll to a tie for second place in the final standings. Records continued to fall by the wayside, as the team set new records for most wins, best won-loss percentage, most consecutive wins, longest home winning streak, longest games winning streak, and most consecutive sweeps. The team also set statistical records for most kills, most attacks, hitting percentage, assists, aces, digs and total blocks en route to a 26-10 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II South Regional Semi-Finals.

Lynn University is coming off a season in which they set a school record with 22 wins and picked up their first post-season victory in program history. The Fighting Knights return five starters and nine letter winners from last years team that set seven team statistical records. Lynn was the first team list in the receiving votes category in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Pre-Season Poll.

Barry University is beginning a new era in 2008 as 12 year head coach Dave Nichols resigned. Injuries were the main cause of the Buccaneers missing out on their 14th consecutive post-season appearance a year ago. With All-American Camilla Pagnan and nine other returnees back, Barry could return to national notoriety in 2008.

2007 Elite Eight participant Dowling College, the three-time defending regular season East Coast Conference champion, is coming off 39-7 season but lose three time All-American Justyna Michon from their line-up. The Lions received votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Pre-Season Poll.

University of California (PA) is another team that received votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Pre-Season Poll. The Vulcans, coming of a 35-4 season, were chosen as the pre-season favorite to win the western division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). They return a pair of All-Americans in outside hitter Joanna Nist and setter Renata da Silva.

#12 Southwest Minnesota State is coming off a 26-8 record and an appearance in the North Central Regional Semi-Finals. Even though they lose three-time All-American Erin Contos, the Mustangs return four All-North Central Conference performers, a libero and nine letter winners in 2008.

Coming off an 18-19 season in 2007, Alderson-Broaddus returns three All-WVIAC players in 2008. Sarah Neikirk (2nd team), Jamilyn DeCorte (HM), and Amanda Check (All-Freshman) return along with eight other underclassmen.

University of Puerto Rico Rio-Piedras will features nine upperclassmen under head coach Xiomara Molero. Rio-Piedras will be a regional match-up for Nova Southeastern and Barry University in the 3rd Annual Sharks Volleyball Classic.

The 3rd Annual Sharks Volleyball Classic will be hosted in NSU's University Center Arena. All three arena volleyball courts will be utilized simultaneously during the competition with the state-of-the-art 100-foot soundproof walls separating the action.

The University Center is a revolutionary 300,000+ square-foot, multi-use facility created by Cannon Design. The "fusion" facility serves as home for the intercollegiate athletic program, with a 4,000+ seat arena for the NSU volleyball and men's and women's basketball teams. The two upper courts house the world's largest automated telescopic seating system, which adds over 3,000 chair-back seats when both sides are extended. The main arena court has over 1,000 permanent chair-back seats, including a donor/booster room with 66 cushioned club seats overlooking the court.

Tickets for the Sharks Classic and all 2008 home volleyball matches are available at the University Center Box Office or online through Ticketmaster.