GREENVILLE, N.C.  -- Bethune-Cookman opens its 2012 season Friday when the Lady Wildcats meet  Charlotte in the first of their three East Carolina Classic matches. First serve for B-CU is 4 p.m. EST.

Coming off a 13-19 mark in Isaac Raphael's first year as Head Coach, B-CU's season will start with 12 matches away from Historic Moore Gym, including tournament trips to Wyoming, Lake Charles, La. and Tampa as well as a single match with Volusia County rival Stetson. The home opener is September 11 against North Florida.

B-CU UPDATE: Senior Krysta Gardner begins her quest for both the 1,000 career kill mark and the school career mark of 1,060 held by Melissa Sanders (2001-04). Currently third on the all-time list, Gardner stands at 821 kills, 45 shy of Irie Cormier (2002-05) for second. Also, Gardner needs 13 service aces to become the third player in program history with 100.

ALSO TRACKING:  Junior Jennifer Jimenez is currently ninth on the all-time digs list with 612, 240 away from Sanders. Senior Janeen Davis is also going for the 1,000 kill mark, beginning the season with 675.

LET'S START STRONG: B-CU hasn't won its season opener since the 2006 team started 3-0 with wins over Savannah State, the Citadel and South Carolina State. The Lady Cats are going for their first winning season since 2004.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE: The 49ers finished 13-14 in 2011, tying for sixth place in the Atlantic 10. Senior Bianca Rose (364 kills) and Amanda Videmsek (.303 hitting percentage) lead the returners.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (Saturday, 1 p.m.): The Pirates are coming off a 2-27 campaign last season. Kelly Derby is the team's lone senior.She ranked 13th in Conference USA in blocks per set (0.95) last season, while leading the team in total blocks (87), block assists (75) and solo blocks (12).

ABOUT CAMPBELL (Saturday, 5 p.m.): The Camels were 13-18 last season and finished fifth in the Big South.  Jordan Reeves is coming of a 263-kill junior season, while Brooke Kelley had 149 kills as a freshman.