The ETSU volleyball team released its schedule on Thursday that highlights 27 regular season matches, eight home dates, and four preseason tournaments.
In 2016, the Buccaneers finished 22-8 overall, while finishing 13-3 in Southern Conference play. They made it to the Southern Conference semi-finals during the tournament under the leadership of head coach Lindsey Devine, who was named the SoCon Coach of the Year last season.
ETSU kicks off the season at the Lipscomb preseason tournament, where they will play three matches. They begin the tournament with Lipscomb on August 25 and will play Arizona and Wichita State on Sunday, August 26. Arizona finished their season last year as one of the top 25 teams in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball RPI and it will also be the first time that both teams will meet.
The following weekend consists of Virginia, Towson, and Appalachian State at the Appalachian State preseason tournament, Sept. 1-2. Again, the Bucs will face another first time opponent, such as Towson.
Two more preseason tournaments follow for the Bucs. The first matches begin at the Western Kentucky preseason tournament during the weekend of Sept. 8-9. The Bucs will face top ranked opponent, Western Kentucky, who were ranked 16 in last season’s RPI, continued by Saint Louis, who the Bucs have not faced since 1997, and wrapping up the tournament with Pittsburgh.
Closing out preseason tournament play is a match against Radford on Sept. 15, which the Bucs hold a 23-8 overall record, and lastly Virginia Tech on Sept. 16.
ETSU’s Southern Conference matches begin when they return home to host Western Carolina on Sept. 19 and UNCG on Sept. 22. ETSU holds the overall record against both teams.
Following their home opener, they will travel to Furman and The Citadel during the weekend of September 29 and 30. ETSU has not lost a single match against The Citadel leading back to 1984. The last contest against Furman happened at the SoCon Tournament, where ETSU edged Furman 3-1.
The Bucs return home for another two-game home stretch beginning with Mercer on Oct. 6. ETSU had a quick three-set match to power past Mercer, but will host the reigning SoCon champions, Samford the following day. ETSU has a 5-3 overall record against Samford, but fell to the Bulldogs in the SoCon semi-finals last season.
The Bucs hit the road for their longest four-game traveling stretch, opening with a match at Chattanooga on October 11, followed by Wofford on October 13, UNCG on October 20, and Western Carolina on October 22. This stint will be the first time the Bucs will meet Chattanooga and Wofford for the 2017 season. It has always been a battle between ETSU and Chattanooga as they share a 32-21 all-time series record.
To wrap up October play, the Bucs will host The Citadel on October 27 and Furman on October 28. Their last away matches kick off in November against Samford and Mercer.
To conclude regular season play, the Bucs will host Chattanooga on November 8 and their last match of the season, Wofford on Nov. 11. The Bucs won a 3-0 match against Wofford last season and will look to have a successful last regular season home match in Brooks Gym.
The 2017 Southern Conference tournament is scheduled for Nov. 17-19 in Cullowhee, N.C. with Western Carolina as the hosts.
All home matches will be played in Brooks Gym located on campus.
