UNCG 2008 volleyball schedule highlighted by trip to California

GREENSBORO, NC – UNC Greensboro head volleyball coach Shawn Garus announced his 2008 schedule which is highlighted by a season-opening trip to California to go along with 13 home matches. UNCG will also serve as host to the 2008 Southern Conference Championship in November.

The Spartans will open the season on the West Coast when they participate in the CSU Fullerton Tournament. UNCG faces Pepperdine on Friday night and will take on host CSU Fullerton and Delaware to close tournament action on Saturday. UNCG will also participate in tournaments hosted by backyard rival, High Point and travel to West Virginia for to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule.

The team will take on seven teams for the first time including three of its first four opponents. First time opponents include Pepperdine, Cal State Fullerton, Delaware, Marist, Missouri State, George Washington and newest Southern Conference member, Samford.

“The 2008 season looks to be an exciting time for our team,” said Garus. “I look forward to our first trip to California as well as playing matches against four teams that have NCAA Tournament experience. Serving as host of the Southern Conference Championships will also be another great experience for us; we have advanced to the finals the past two seasons and to have an opportunity to compete for a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament on our home floor will be a special experience for our team.”

UNCG will take on two of four, 2007 NCAA participants on their schedule at the Cal State Fullerton tournament.

Pepperdine has advanced to postseason action 24 times and last season fell to Southern California in the first round. The Spartans will also take on Delaware on their West Coast swing. The Blue Hens are coming off their first Colonial Athletic Association tournament title and first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament advancing to the second round before falling to St. John’s.

Other NCAA participants on the schedule include 2007 Southern Conference Champions, College of Charleston and Missouri State, who has been to the postseason, five of the last six seasons.  

UNCG opens the home slate on September 3 with a match against cross-town rival North Carolina A&T. The Spartans will also welcome in-state foes Charlotte and High Point for matches at Fleming Gym. UNCG will open the Southern Conference season with two road matches beginning with a September 24 date against Appalachian State.

UNCG returns 11 players from the 2007 squad that advanced to the Southern Conference Tournament finals for the second consecutive season, including All-Southern Conference performer Kaitlyn Nortz. The Spartans will welcome five newcomers.

AGATE:

2008 UNCG Volleyball Schedule: Aug. 29 Pepperdine, 7 pm (CSU Fullerton Tournament); Aug 30 CSU Fullerton, 4 pm (CSU Fullerton Tournament); Aug 30 Delaware, 7:30 pm (CSU Fullerton Tournament); Sept 3 NORTH CAROLINA A&T, 7 pm; Sept 5 Marist, 10 am (High Point Tournament); Sept. 6 South Carolina State, 4:30 pm (High Point Tournament); Sept. 6 East Carolina, 4:30 pm (High Point Tournament); Sept. 7 MISSOURI STATE, 2 pm; Sept. 9 CHARLOTTE, 7 pm; Sept 16 HIGH POINT,7 pm; Sept 19 West Virginia, 7:30 pm (West Virginia Tournament); Sept. 20 George Washington, 12 Noon (West Virginia Tournament); Sept. 20 Maryland-Baltimore County, 5:30 pm (West Virginia Tournament); Sept. 24 at Appalachian State, 7 pm; Sept 27 at Western Carolina, 4 pm; Oct. 3 FURMAN, 7 pm; Oct. 4 WOFFORD, 2 pm; Oct. 8 at Elon, 7 pm; Oct. 11 THE CITADEL, 2 pm; Oct. 12 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON, 5 pm; Oct.17 at Davidson, 7 pm; Oct. 20 at Georgia Southern, 7 pm; Oct. 25 at Chattanooga, 2 pm; Oct. 26 at Samford, 3 pm; Nov. 1 APPALACHIAN STATE, 5 pm; Nov. 2 WESTERN CAROLINA, 12 Noon; Nov. 5 ELON, 7 pm; Nov. 8 at Furman, 7 pm; Nov. 9 at Wofford, 2 pm; Nov.14 CHATTANOOGA, 7 pm; Nov. 15 SAMFORD, 2 pm; Nov. 21-23 at Southern Conference Tournament (at Greensboro, NC), TBA.

- UNCG -