East Central announces first volleyball schedule

Ada May 06, 2008 07:54 pm

— In preparation for its initial season of women’s varsity volleyball, East Central University head coach Dave Thorn has announced the Lady Tigers’ 2008 schedule, which features three Lone Star Conference teams which reached the NCAA Division II playoffs last season.
ECU officially launches the season on Sept. 5 by taking on Southern Arkansas at 10 a.m. in the St. Edward’s University Tournament in Austin, Texas.
The Lady Tigers play three more matches in that tournament (on Sept. 5 and Sept. 6) before opening the home portion of their schedule on Sept. 9 in a three-way event with Arkansas Tech and St. Gregory’s. ECU battles Arkansas Tech at 4 p.m. Arkansas Tech and St. Gregory’s square off at 6 p.m. The Lady Tigers and SGU will then do battle at 8 p.m.
ECU will play in three other tournaments during the season: at Eastern New Mexico (Sept. 12-13), Washburn (Oct. 3-4) and Arkansas Tech (Oct. 17-18).
The rugged schedule features Midwestern State, Central Oklahoma and West Texas A&M, all of which reached the national tournament. In fact, West Texas A&M made it all the way to the final four, before being ousted.
The Lady Tigers face Midwestern State at home on Oct. 9 and West Texas A&M at home on Oct. 30. They play at UCO on Sept. 25.
“We face some quality opponents in our conference and some of the best teams in the Heartland Conference and MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association),” said Thorn. “We’re excited to get ECU’s first volleyball team out on the floor and see what we can do.”
ECU has nine home dates (10 matches) and nine road dates outside of tournament play.