INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI volleyball team kicked off its 2012 season Saturday evening defeating the Alumni Team in its annual Alumni Game held at The Jungle.

The Jags defeated the Alumni Team, 4-0, winning the first three sets by identical 25-14 scores, before winning the fourth set, 25-16.

Twelve alumni returned to campus to participate in the match, including Pandy Long Sinish, Sara Sparks McQueen, Rebekah Pallikan O’Brien, Katie Hahn, Tanna Smith, Michelle Sobocinski, Tracy Bailey, Erin Jones Brooks, Danielle Goodnight, Monica Suding Balish, Lauran Thompson and Kalyse Reimbold.

“We’ve been going against ourselves for nearly two weeks so it was nice to get on the court and scrimmage somebody other than ourselves,” said head coach Steve Payne. “On the court, we experimented with some new lineups and played well, but our Alumni turnout for this event and their continued support continues to be the most impressive thing.”

The 2012 Jaguars roster featured nine returners and four true freshmen (Kaitlyn Hickey, Kelly Wachtel, Skylar Wright and Courtney Halter) that donned the IUPUI uniform for the first time.

The Jaguars begin their 2012 campaign on Friday, Aug. 24, when they take on Miami (OH) at 4:30 p.m. in the opener of Thunder Invitational in Huntington, W.Va.

IUPUI’s home opener takes place just a few days later on Tuesday, Aug. 28, when Indiana State comes to The Jungle for a 7 p.m. match-up.