BRADFORD, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's volleyball team will begin its quest to defend its Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference title this weekend with four total matches Friday and Saturday in the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament.

A season ago, Pitt-Bradford finished 20-13 overall and 7-2 in AMCC action, good for third place in the conference.

From there, the Panthers swept their way to the AMCC Tournament Finals, where they battled back from being down two sets to none at top-seeded Penn State-Behrend to capture the program's second conference title in three years and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

As a result, the coaches of the AMCC have selected the Panthers to finish atop the conference tied with Behrend in this season's Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Pitt-Bradford is guided by 2016 AMCC Coach of the Year and two-time conference champion Tom Roof, who is in his fifth year guiding the program.

"Our goals really haven't changed from previous seasons," Roof said. "We're looking to play our best and hopefully that's good enough to bring us another AMCC title and a return trip to the NCAA championships. We know we have a target on our back after winning it all last year, and by coming into the year as the preseason No. 1, so we have to be ready for that."

Pitt-Bradford returns much of its 2018 championship regulars, highlighted by the AMCC Co-Player of the Year and Preseason Player of the Year junior Riley Anderson, and including All-AMCC honorees juniors Emily Cleveland, Katie Treat and Laura Hildebrand.

"We have a great group of returners with plenty of experience, but we also have to replace a couple of key players, including our setter, Peyton Orzech," Roof said. "Otherwise, our numbers are good. On the outside, we have two two-time conference all-stars in Riley and Emily Cleveland. They were one-two in the conference in kills as only sophomores a year ago."

"We'll be relying heavily on them again, along with Katie Rose and Kamryn Piscitelli," Roof continued. "On the right side and at middle, Katie Treat returns after earning conference honors last year. She gives us a great block and a lot of offense out of those two spots, making it more difficult for teams just to focus on stopping our outsides. Both starting middle hitters, Elizabeth Johnson and Alexandra Segura are back. Both are big blockers, but we're really hoping to get more offense out of them this year."

In addition to the Panthers' experienced front line, Pitt-Bradford brings back a skilled and accomplished back defense as well.

"Laura Hildebrand, who led the AMCC in digs last season, and Alayna Seggi return as two-year starters" Roof added. "They play so well together and are real leaders. You're not going to see many balls hit the floor between those two. Then we have Elizabeth Harvey, Justine Trevino and Meagan Welsh returning, so there's a lot of competition for those defensive specialist positions."

Adding to the Panthers' experienced depth are Caitlin Cipriano and Mercedes Fox.

Joining the experienced core are six newcomers.

"I love our incoming class," Roof said. "They bring a lot of big-time club experience and bring us some size. A couple of six-footers in Kaitlyn Sexton (Brentwood, Calif.) and Caitlyn Naff (Thurmont, Md.) are really going to press our returners for playing time, and both can play all three front-row positions."

"We've also brought in two setters in Tabitha Walker (Butler, Pa.) and Gabby Barnes (Brockway, Pa.), a transfer from Slippery Rock," Roof continued. "Both have been very quick to pick up our offense and bring a lot of athleticism."

Rounding out a versatile class are a pair of well-rounded players.

"Defensively, we're really high on Stephanie Carson (Cincinnati, Ohio)," Roof said. "She's very mature as a freshman and we expect a big year out of her. And rounding out our incoming class is Harlee VanScoter, a local girl out of Otto-Eldred, who is just a solid all-around player. She's so versatile she'll be finding her way on the court in a lot of different ways."

Pitt-Bradford's 2019 season will be made up of 28 matches including six home matches at the KOA Arena.

The Panthers will look to hit the ground running as it takes on tough opponents this weekend in St. Mary's (Md.), Randolph, Randolph-Macon and the host Virginia Wesleyan.

"Our schedule is brutal," Roof said. "We open against four very good teams. We're back out at Wooster again for another tough tournament and we're also at Lycoming, and John Carroll. There are no breaks with our non-conference schedule, but hopefully, its gets us ready for the AMCC."

Pitt-Bradford will play its home opener immediately following this weekend's contests Tuesday, Sept. 3, against Elmira. The Panthers will open up conference play on Saturday, Sept. 28., against La Roche and Mount Aloysius in the AMCC Quad Match.

"If we get through our non-conference slate without too many bumps, I think we should have a pretty good season," Roof concluded. "I like where we are, but breaking in a new setter takes time. A lot will depend on how quickly and how well we play together, and just staying positive. This team is very driven. They know what it takes to win in this conference and they're hungry to get another title. And, they also know it just doesn't happen because you want it to. They're putting in the work and they have the right attitude and approach. I'm excited to see what this season will bring."

Pitt-Bradford will open the season at 3 p.m. Friday against Virginia Wesleyan before taking on St. Mary's (Md.) at 5 p.m.