CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern volleyball officially opens the 2022 campaign this weekend as it plays host to the Zaxby's presents the VolleyBucs VolleyPalooza inside the CSU Fieldhouse, Friday and Saturday. Six total matches will make up the two days of action, three each day, with the Buccaneers set to face Appalachian State (7 p.m., Friday), California Baptist (10 a.m., Saturday) and St. John's (5 p.m., Saturday).

Graduate student Peyton Thompson returns to guide the Bucs' attack. She's a Preseason All-Big South Team selection coming off a year in which she led the conference in kills (386) and kills per set (4.06) on her way to earning first team all-league accolades. She was the CSU leader with 33 aces and was second with 175 digs and 32 blocks.

Joining her as familiar faces in the Bucs lineup will be seniors Emilee Karelse along with juniors Angelika Rusin and Indigo Young. Ten newcomers comprise the rest of fourth-year head coach David McFatrich's roster.

The tournament features the aforementioned three schools, with each program playing three times over the course of the weekend. Friday's lineup includes contests at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., while Saturday will see teams squaring off at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The last match of each day, both of which feature the Buccaneers, will be broadcast live on ESPN+.