University of Denver Volleyball Team Announces 2011 Schedule
The Pioneers will face six teams that competed in the 2010 NCAA Tournament in their last season as members of the Sun Belt Conference.
DENVER – University of Denver head volleyball coach Beth Kuwata announced the 2011 Pioneer schedule today, one that includes matches against six teams that competed in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, in what will mark its last season in the Sun Belt Conference.
“Each season, we want to challenge ourselves against some of the top teams in the country during our non-conference schedule,” Kuwata said. “This season is no exception. We will be playing teams from some of the top conferences, teams that won conference championships and NCAA Tournament teams. Given the injuries we endured and the experience our young players gained last year, we’re excited to see how we match up. Plus, in-state rivals Air Force, Colorado State and Northern Colorado will all have to come through Hamilton Gym this season.”
The Pioneers open the 2011 season traveling to Temp, Ariz., to take part in a weekend tournament that features San Jose State University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Denver. From there, the team will return home to face the US Air Force Academy, regional semifinal competitor, Purdue and Bryant University in the Denver Invitational.
Following the Invitational, Denver will host the Pioneer Classic on Sept. 9-10 against NCAA Tournament teams, UTSA and Missouri, as well as UC Davis. The Pioneers will then remain at home to face Northern Colorado, Colorado State, Florida Atlantic, and Florida International in the latter half of September.
The Pioneers will open their last season of Sun Belt Conference play against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 30 in Lafayette, La.
“It’s a little bittersweet,” Kuwata said. “As much as we are excited about the move to the WAC in 2012, the Sun Belt has been a good home for us. We’ve developed some great rivalries over the years, and we have a ton of respect for each of teams in the Sun Belt. Our focus is definitely on this upcoming season and we’d like our last year in the Sun Belt a memorable one.”
Denver will remain on the road for the first half of October to play conferences matches, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Arkansas-Little Rock and North Texas. They will then return to Hamilton Gymnasium to play Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe at home before going on the road again to face the rest of the Sun Belt Conference competitors.
For the complete 2011 DU volleyball schedule, please see the attached PDF.
-PIONEERS-
