Indiana University Athletics
An Early Glance at the 2008 IU Volleyball Schedule
1/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Jan. 16, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team released their 2008 schedule this week, highlighted by the Hoosiers hosting a pair of preseason tournaments and a trip to the west coast. The tentative schedule is subject to change and includes dates and opponents, start times to be announced when set.
Head Coach Sherry Dunbar and her team will get the season started with a trip across the country to compete in a tournament at Long Beach State University. In addition to a match with the 49ers, IU is also set to take on Missouri State and San Francisco while in the Golden State from Aug. 29-30.
"When possible I like to schedule tournaments close to players' hometowns," said Dunbar. "Long Beach will allow Kelsey (Hall)'s family and friends an opportunity to watch her and it gives us a chance to get west coast exposure."
The following weekend (Sept. 5-6) Indiana returns to Bloomington for the first home tournament, welcoming Wake Forest, Valparaiso and Indiana State to campus. The Hoosiers will then head over to Lexington, Kentucky for an invitational at the University of Kentucky from Sept. 12-13. Other teams scheduled to be there are Eastern Kentucky and Albany.
"I like the potential rivalry created between IU and Kentucky in volleyball with UK making a return trip to us in '09," said Dunbar. "Obviously, there is already a strong basketball rivalry, and we're hoping to create that tradition in volleyball."
Indiana wraps up the non-conference slate by hosting another tournament on Sept. 19-20. Ball State, George Mason and Cincinnati make up the competition scheduled for the weekend of round robin action.
"Hosting two tournaments in the fall allows our athletes to miss less class and our fans a chance to see us play more," said Dunbar. "It's nice to be in the friendly atmosphere of University Gym."
The Cream and Crimson will spend their first two weeks of Big Ten play inside the friendly confines of University Gym as well. First up is a conference-opening weekend loaded with rivalry matches for the Hoosiers. The Fighting Illini of Illinois come to town on Sept. 26 and the Purdue Boilermakers enter U-Gym the following night. Weekend number two of conference play includes home matches versus a pair of 2007 NCAA Tournament participants, including the national champion Nittany Lions of Penn State. Michigan State, the other foe, reached the "Sweet 16" at the NCAAs in the fall.
Indiana's first Big Ten road match is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Minnesota. The regular season will come to a crescendo with the last match on Nov. 29 at Ohio State.
COMPLETE 2008 SCHEDULE
August
29-30- at Long Beach State tournament (LBSU, Missouri State, San Francisco)
September
5-6- Indiana tournament (Wake Forest, Valparaiso, Indiana State)
12-13- at Kentucky tournament (UK, Eastern Kentucky, Albany)
19-20- Indiana tournament (Ball State, George Mason, Cincinnati)
26- Illinois
27- Purdue
October
1- Penn State
3- Michigan State
10- at Minnesota
11- at Iowa
17- Ohio State
18- Michigan
24- at Northwestern
25- at Wisconsin
31- Iowa
November
1- Minnesota
5- at Penn State
8- at Michigan State
14- at Purdue
15- at Illinois
21- Wisconsin
22- Northwestern
28- at Michigan
29- at Ohio State
