Volleyball Releases 2015 Schedule
May 13, 2015 | Women's Volleyball
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Building a solid RPI, being prepared for competition in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference and creating opportunities for advancement in the NCAA Tournament are the goals of the 2015 University of Louisville volleyball schedule according to head coach Anne Kordes.
"It's a tough schedule with more than half of our matches against programs that advanced to the NCAA tournament last year. We begin the season with one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country and then head in to a highly competitive ACC conference," said Kordes.
The Cardinals open their season in Champaign, Illinois where the Illini will play host. The field has not been finalized but the Illini always prove to be quality non-conference adversaries.
"The first tournament of the season pits us against Illinois, who is a familiar opponent for us. Win or lose, I love playing against Illinois as they compete hard and are well-coached," said Kordes, who was an assistant for the Illini early in her career.
The Cardinals host the ACC/Big Ten Challenge the second weekend as UofL joins forces with North Carolina to take on Minnesota and Wisconsin downtown in the Arena. Wisconsin advanced to the regional final match of the NCAAs in 2014 and Minnesota is coached by the former USA National Team Coach Hugh McCutcheon.
"I am extremely excited to host the ACC/ Big Ten tournament the second weekend of the season," said Kordes. "We will get to play host to three of the best teams in the country with Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Carolina coming our way. After the second weekend of play we should have a good idea where our program stands nationally."
The Cards stay home the third week, but move over to Cardinal Arena to host the Cardinal Classic with three strong programs in Utah, Ohio, and Seton Hall with all three teams advancing to the NCAA tournament last year.
Louisville finishes up the non-conference season with two single matches against two long-time rivals, one at Cincinnati on Sept. 17 and the last at Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 20 in Memorial Coliseum.
"With both teams as rivals and both matches on the road, this should provide us for a challenging weekend," said Kordes.
Opening the ACC slate for the Cardinals will be a trip up to South Bend to face the Irish of Notre Dame on Sept .25. The Cards then return home to host Miami (Sept. 27), Syracuse (Oct. 2) and Boston College (Oct. 4). The Canes are the formidable opponents on this road stretch, procuring one of the league's three NCAA at-large bids in 2014.
"I think 2015 will prove to be one of the most competitive seasons in the conference," said Kordes. "I think the addition of the new teams and added resources programs have pumped in to volleyball has turned the ACC in to one of the most dominant volleyball conferences in the country."
The Cards then head to Georgia Tech (Oct. 9) and Clemson (Oct. 11) before returning to the KFC Yum! Center to host Wake Forest (Oct. 16), Duke (Oct. 18) and Notre Dame (Oct. 21). Duke was an NCAA selection a year ago and the Irish have a new coach in Jim McLaughlin.
A stiff test of the ACC season will come on the three-match road swing at Virginia (Oct. 24), at North Carolina (Oct. 30) and at North Carolina State (Nov. 1). The Tar Heels lost in the regional final in the NCAAs last season. The Virginia Cavaliers swept the Cards in 2014 and NC State was a five set battle that the Cards pulled out in Raleigh in a televised match.
Pitt (Nov. 6) and Virginia Tech (Nov 8) will invade the KFC Yum! Center prior to the Cardinals making the Florida swoop, taking on Miami (Nov. 13) again and facing Florida State (Nov. 15), which reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2014.
The final two home opponents will be Clemson (Nov. 20) and Georgia Tech (Nov. 22) both at the Yum! Center before the Cardinals end the regular seasom at Boston College (Nov. 25) and at Syracuse (Nov. 27).
"What is so exciting about the conference with the teams that have been added in the last two years is that it puts us in contention for the best volleyball conference in the nation with regards to RPI," said Kordes. "There is not a team that could not advance to the NCAA, which makes for a tough grind-it-out kind of season where you have to go into battle every night."
Current season tickets holders my renew their seats by logging in to their My Cardinal Account or by calling 502-GOCARDS (502-462-2737).
New season tickets can be applied for by visiting gocards.com or by calling 502-852-7254.
Season ticket holders receive tickets to the 12 home matches at the KFC Yum! Center at a 25% discount over single game prices, as well as first access to Cardinal Arena ticket packages.
Season ticket prices for 2015 are as follows: Adult: $72
Youth (3-18): $48
Four Pack: $216 (Four or more season tickets purchased together similiar to the former Family Plan)
2 and Under: Free
Cardinal Arena 3-Match Package: $12
Fans can follow Louisville volleyball on Twitter at www.twitter.com/uoflvolleyball or Facebook at www.facebook.com/uoflvolleyball
