Returning only two starters from last year's team, the University of Regina's women's volleyball team sports a vastly different look as the Cougars prepare to open the 2012-13 Canada West schedule this weekend at home against Brandon.

One of just three returning players past their second year of eligibility, middle Michelle Sweeting has impressed 11th-year head coach Melanie Sanford with her progression over the offseason. Sweeting was limited for a large portion of last season due to injury, but has returned to full strength and will serve as the U of R's captain this season.

Also returning is right side Chelsea Ziolkowski, who started 13 matches for the Cougars last year and collected 90 kills. Middle blocker Trisha Dobson saw action in the first 10 matches of the conference schedule for the U of R last season and will transition into a full-time starter for the Cougars this year. Megan Semeniuk has been used mostly as a defensive specialist over her first three seasons with the Cougars, and will replace Rebecca Rink as the team's full-time libero this season.

Controlling the offence will be second-year setter Meagan Lane, who apprenticed under Tiffany Herman last season and saw playing time in four of the team's 20 Canada West matches.

Sanford expects University of New Hampshire transfer Desiree Ates, second-year player Tori Glynn, and rookie Shelby Hack (Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS) to all see significant playing time at left side. Glynn played 13 conference matches for the Cougars last season, while Ates played in 12 matches for UNH last season before transferring to the U of R.

Brandon's offence is led by setter Kellie Baker, who enters her second full season as a starter for the Bobcats. Her top targets will be third-year middle Meaghan Robertson and third-year left side Victoria Dakin, as both players piled up over 150 kills last season for Brandon during the conference schedule. Third-year left side Chloe Reimer, the team's leader in digs last season, also returns for eighth-year head coach Lee Carter.

Regina and Brandon met once during the non-conference schedule, with the Bobcats taking a five-set victory over the Cougars on Sept. 22 at the University of Regina Invitational. Since Brandon started its program in 2005 the teams have played 16 conference matches against each other, with each team winning eight times.

The Cougars and the Bobcats will meet on Friday night at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport with first serve scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The two teams will play at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night following the conclusion of the men's match.

Check out www.canadawest.tv for live stats on Friday and a full webcast on Saturday.