University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Volleyball Squad Releases 2008 Schedule
5/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
2008 Volleyball Schedule
DENTON, Texas (5/02/08) Home tilts with regional rivals Texas Tech, UT-Arlington and Southern Methodist, as well as matches against some of the nation’s elite highlight the 2008 North Texas volleyball schedule.
This year’s slate features 14 matches at the Mean Green Volleyball Center and nine outings against teams ranked inside the RPI top 154. North Texas, just a season removed from a Sun Belt West Division title, welcomes a pair of NCAA Tournament participants to Denton in Western Kentucky and No. 15 Middle Tennessee, which advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2007.
“I think it’s a well rounded schedule that will really give us some tough tests throughout the season,” said North Texas head coach Cassie Headrick. “The regional rivalries are an important part of our schedule, and our fans really look forward to Sun Belt play. The conference looks like it will once again prove one of the top leagues in the country.”
North Texas kicks the season off in style with the 16th Mean Green Volleyball Classic, taking on the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Aug. 29. The tournament also features Jackson State and UT-Arlington. NT will tangle with the Tigers and Mavericks on Aug. 30.
The Mean Green will face four Conference USA opponents this season. The Mustangs of SMU visit the Mean Green Volleyball Center on Oct. 7, while NT will hit the road to take on Tulsa, Southern Mississippi and Central Florida.
The 2008 Mean Green will become road tested early and often, heading out for 10 consecutive matches following the season opening tournament at home. The road trip is the longest by a North Texas team since it played 13 straight in 2000, and will have NT in tournaments in Tulsa, Okla., Orem, Utah, and Hattiesburg, Miss., with a trip to Stephen F. Austin mixed in on Sept. 16.
The Sun Belt slate also has the Mean Green on the road for six straight matches in Oct. and Nov., its longest conference road swing since entering the league in 2000.
The SBC had five teams finish the 2007 season inside the RPI top 100, and sent a pair of squads to the NCAA Tournament. North Texas will play host to Western Division champion Denver, ULM, Louisian-Lafayette, New Orleans. No. 15 Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, South Alabama, Troy, Arkansas State and UALR.
The Sun Belt Conference Tournament will be held in Miami on Nov. 20-22.
