Lady'Backs announce 2005 volleyball schedule

Jump to schedule FAYETTEVILLE — Two home tournaments and 17 home matches highlight the 2005 University of Arkansas volleyball schedule. "We are excited about again hosting two tournaments and really appreciate C&C Services for stepping forward and helping us to attract great competition," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "It was brutal being on the road the first two weekends last year, so it will be nice to give the fans an early look at the continued improvement of the young players. Five new faces will be in a Lady Razorback uniform and we are excited to add their experience to our returning starters." Arkansas hosts a pair of tournaments, first Aug. 26-27, welcoming Belmont, Memphis and North Texas, meeting the Bruins and Tigers for the first time in the program’s history. The Lady Razorbacks next host the C&C Services Invitational for the second consecutive season with NCAA Tournament second round participant Kansas State along with Nicholls State and Utah State coming to Barnhill. Arkansas travels to the Missouri State Fall Classic taking on Missouri State, Iowa State and Utah, and the San Diego tournament facing UNLV, Long Beach State and host San Diego, rounding out the month of September with a solid non-conference schedule. "We had one of the top schedules in the nation last year," said Poole. "The NCAA committee proved that, with a tough schedule, your team can be rewarded with a post-season appearance. Once again, we have a very strong non-conference schedule. The thing that helps us this year is opening the first two weekends at home." The ever-changing Southeastern Conference schedule begins with a tough test Sept. 23 with Arkansas hosting NCAA Sweet 16 participant and reigning league champion Tennessee. Up next is a rebuilding South Carolina team Sept. 25, one of three league teams with new head coaches for the 2005 season. Arkansas opens defense of the SEC Western Division title Sept. 30, traveling to much-improved Auburn followed by an always-tough match-up at Alabama Oct. 2. The match against the Crimson Tide serves a dual purpose as the Lady’Backs get an advanced look at the 2005 SEC Tournament site in Tuscaloosa, Ala. "I’m excited about the conference," said Poole. "The conference has really improved the past two seasons and there will be more depth then anytime in SEC history." Arkansas continues SEC play hosting LSU Oct. 5, followed by the first match-up with Eastern Division foe Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 7. Arkansas hosts its next three with non-conference St. Louis, Oct. 11, followed by Mississippi Oct. 14, and Mississippi State Oct. 16, in a return to the SEC schedule. Arkansas faces one of the biggest road challenges of the year traveling to national powerhouse Florida Oct. 21, followed by a match at Georgia, a team that upset Arkansas in Athens last season. Return trips by Alabama and Auburn wrap up October and a are followed by a meeting with border rival Oral Roberts Nov. 1. Arkansas wraps up SEC Western Division play at Mississippi State Nov. 4, at Mississippi, Nov. 6, and at LSU, Nov. 9, as the team searches for its 11th league title in 12 seasons. "The SEC West will be extremely competitive," said Poole. "I think we will see great competition in every match. LSU will be one of the top teams with the amount of experience they have returning, but we will have to compete at a high level with every match we play." Arkansas wraps up the pre-SEC Tournament schedule hosting Kentucky Nov. 13, before hitting the road for Alabama and the league championship Nov. 18-20. The Lady Razorbacks conclude the regular season Nov. 26 hosting Tulsa in a final tune-up match before what they hope will be an NCAA Tournament selection. Tickets for the 2005 season are on sale at the Lady Razorback Ticket Office. For more information call 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS 2005 LADY RAZORBACK VOLLEYBALL

*-Denotes SEC Match — All home matches played at Barnhill Arena (9,000) — All Times CentralFor tickets call 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM