FGCU volleball sked set
Returning four starters from a 21-11 team last season, FGCU volleyball coach Matt Botsford Tuesday released the team schedule for 2016.
Botsford enters his third season in Southwest Florida, seeing an increase in wins in each of his first two years. In addition to the four starters, the Eagles return five more letter-winners as they strive for their fourth Atlantic Sun regular-season title in 10 years.
“We have made great strides over the past two seasons, and I am anticipating that trend to continue as we battle for a conference championship,” Botsford said.
The 2016 schedule includes four NCAA Tournament teams, five RPI top 100 programs and one ranked team from 2015.
FGCU plays 15 matches at Alico Arena, six within the first three weeks of the season.
“Our home schedule will be extremely competitive, highlighted by the participation of Indiana University in our third weekend event,” Botsford said. “Having a Big Ten team on our home court will be a great treat for Southwest Florida volleyball enthusiasts.”
The season commences in Athens, Ohio, where the Eagles meet three of the four NCAA Tournament teams on the slate Aug. 26-27 against Big East foe Villanova (25-8), an at-large selection to the NCAA Tourney, and a pair of defending conference champions in host Ohio (Mid-American) and Western Kentucky (Conference USA), the No. 20 team in the nation in 2015.
The Eagles return home to host a pair of tournaments on Sept. 2-3 and Sept. 9-10. Opponents include Delaware, New Orleans, VCU, South Alabama, Marist, and Indiana.
After a series of non-conference matches, the Eagles start their A-Sun season Sept. 24 against Stetson at Alico Arena. The conference tournament is set for Nov. 17-19 in Nashville.