The American University volleyball team will open its 2011 season Friday, August 26 with the fifth annual Bender Blue Out, part of the D.C. Volleyball Challenge, live on Eagles Vision TV. American is set to face George Washington at 7:30 p.m.

The Eagles will be looking to break their own Washington, D.C. collegiate volleyball attendance record Friday, a feat which they have accomplished three of the last four years. 2,055 fans were on hand at last year's Bender Blue Out to witness American's 3-0 victory over George Mason, surpassing the previous record of 1,813 set in 2009. The Bender Blue Out has seen an average of 1,674 fans since its inception in 2007.

Click here to watch highlights from last year's event.

All AU students are encouraged to begin their evening at the All-American Barbecue on the quad at 5:00 p.m. Students will enjoy a carnival-like atmosphere including games and will be cheered on by the AU Spirit Programs and Pep Band. Each of American's varsity teams will lead a parade into Bender Arena at 6:55 p.m. where AU students with valid IDs will be treated to free Domino's pizza, Coca-Cola products, Robeks smoothies, face painting and sign making. Friday will also be the first chance for Blue Crew members to pick up their 2011 Blue Crew t-shirts and membership cards. The fan fest activities will conclude at 7:30 p.m. with the unveiling of the Eagles' 2010 Patriot League Championship banner.

The Bender Blue Out will also mark the kickoff to American Athletics' new Blue Crew Rewards affinity program. For complete prizes and rules of the program, click here.

American was chosen first in the 2011 Patriot League Preseason Poll on Tuesday and will enter Friday having won 19 straight matches in Bender Arena. The Eagles captured their ninth Patriot League Championship in 2010 and earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament where they eventually fell to No. 9 UCLA, 3-2. The team rode a program-record 23-match winning streak to a 29-3 overall record, with their 29 wins ranking fourth in school annals. American also posted its sixth undefeated season against conference opponents in 2010 and was a perfect 14-0 at home.

Five Eagles return from last year's squad including seniors Rebecca Heath and Alexandra Hammer. Heath will be looking to bounce back from two injury-plagued seasons after being named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2008. Hammer, meanwhile, led the team with 10.16 aps a year ago and added 1.74 dps.

American also returns sophomores Juliana Crum, Virginia Fitch and Alexandria Miller. Crum was twice named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week in 2010 and finished the year averaging 1.93 kps with a .265 hitting percentage. Fitch appeared in 22 matches for the Eagles and averaged 0.60 bps while Miller saw action in 16 matches as a defensive specialist.

American's roster will be bolstered by the addition of nine new faces in 2011. The recruiting class includes Alaina Del Real (DS), Valeria Giberti (L), Morgan Hendrix (OPP/MB), Anna King (DS), Kelly McCaddin (MB/OPP), Sara Rishell (OH/MB), Megan Rosburg (OH/DS), Bree Scarbrough (MB/OPP) and Monika Smidova (S).

Georgetown and George Mason will kickoff the D.C. Volleyball Challenge at 5:00 p.m. in Bender Arena. Competition continues on Saturday, August 27 at George Washington where the Eagles will meet Georgetown at 1:00 p.m. and George Mason at 5:00 p.m. George Washington and George Mason faceoff at 11:00 a.m. to begin the day with Georgetown and George Washington wrapping up the tournament at 7:00 p.m.

American has won three of the previous four D.C. Volleyball Challenges and is 7-5 all-time in the tournament. The Eagles claimed the title in 2010, 2008 and 2007.