Kansas Volleyball Team Announces 2010 Schedule
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Fifteen matches versus 2009 NCAA Tournament teams highlight Kansas volleyball’s 2010 slate, released Thursday by head coach Ray Bechard. The Jayhawks’ 31-match schedule includes two matchups versus last year’s national runner-up Texas.
“We are excited to host 18 matches at home this season, which includes two quality tournaments,” said Bechard. “We will have a nice stretch at home which will allow us to do some good things.”
“We also have a great opportunity to play Middle Tennessee State in a mid-week match, which is a great addition to the mix,” added Bechard. “And the Big 12 will be as good as always.”
KU will open the season on the road, Aug. 27-28, at the Creighton Tournament in Omaha, Neb. KU starts the weekend versus NCAA Tournament participant Lipscomb, which also won the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season and tournament. Saturday, Kansas concludes the tournament with matches versus San Francisco and Creighton.
On Aug. 31, the Jayhawks open their 18-match home slate versus UMKC at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. It is also the first contest of an eight-match homestand.
Kansas is set to host its annual Jayhawk Classic, Sept. 3-4, where it will face Akron, Arkansas and Chattanooga. On Sept. 7, KU will take on Middle Tennessee State in a rematch with a 2009 NCAA Tournament team.
The Kansas Invitational, Sept. 10-11 will conclude KU’s non-conference schedule. On tap that weekend is contests versus Winthrop, Arkansas-Little Rock and NCAA second round participant, Northern Iowa.
KU opens its Big 12 Conference schedule at in-state rival Kansas State on Sept. 15 before welcoming NCAA Tournament team Texas A&M on Sept. 18 in the Jayhawks’ conference home opener. The very next contest, KU is scheduled to travel to perennial powerhouse Nebraska (Sept. 22).
Border Showdown rival Missouri will make the trip to Lawrence on Sept. 29 followed by the Jayhawks’ arrival in Columbia on Oct. 27.
Kansas’ remaining Big 12 schedule is highlighted with matches versus Sweet 16 participants Iowa State (Oct. 9 in Lawrence and Oct. 23 in Ames, Iowa) and Baylor (Oct. 13 in Waco, Texas and Nov. 17 in Lawrence). As well as two contests versus 2010 national runner-up Texas- Oct. 20 in Lawrence and Nov. 19 in Austin, Texas.
The Jayhawks close out their home slate versus K-State on Nov. 24 for senior night. The regular-season concludes on Nov. 27 when KU travels to Oklahoma, an NCAA Tournament participant.
Kansas returns 11 letterwinners from its 16-14 team in 2009. The Jayhawks have also signed four new players that will join the team for the 2010 season.
-Go Jayhawks!-
