GREELEY, Colo. -- Fans of Northern Colorado's volleyball team will get two free-admission sneak peaks at the Bears this year before they start the home portion of their regular-season schedule.

The first opportunity will come tomorrow evening, Saturday, Aug. 23, when Lyndsey Benson's squad will hold its annual Blue/Gold Scrimmage at 7 p.m. at Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

The event is part of a number of "Bear Welcome" activities taking place on the Northern Colorado campus as it prepares for the first day of the 2008-09 academic year on Monday, Aug. 25.

Admission is free and the five-set match will give fans a chance to see this year's Bears volleyball team.

Eight players are back from last year's team and the Bears' coaches are excited to unveil seven new players on the 2008 roster. 

A second free-admission opportunity to see the Bears at home this year will come Saturday, Sept. 13, when the Northern Colorado volleyball program will host it's "China Night"-themed Alumni Match.

Previous Northern Colorado players will be on hand to test the current Bears and pictures and videos from the program's trip to Eastern China in mid-May will also be on display.

The trip was a memorable experience for everyone involved, and the players and coaches are excited to share the memories with their fans.

The Bears will officially start their season Friday, Aug. 29, when they play Villanova in the LaSalle Tournament in Philadelphia. Northern Colorado's first home match will come Saturday, Sept. 27, against Big Sky Conference team Sacramento State.