University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Announce 2004 Fall Schedule
6/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, CT (June 9) - Seventh-year head coach Kelli Myers has released the 2004 schedule for the University of Connecticut volleyball team. After finishing last season winning nine of 11 matches, the 2004 squad is poised to continue on the same level heading into the new season.
The Huskies’ schedule in 2004 is no pushover, as UConn will travel to meet some tough opposition early on before facing their traditionally strong BIG EAST opponents later in the season. The Wake Forest Deacon Invitational will be the season-opening tournament for UConn, who will face Marshall, South Carolina and host Wake Forest over two days of play on September 3-4.
After a single home match against New Hampshire on Sept. 7, the Huskies will play host to Long Island, Stony Brook and Holy Cross in the Connecticut Invitational.
UConn’s toughest test will follow, as they head to Gainesville, Fla., to take on some of the strongest competition of the season. First up for the Huskies will be UC Santa Barbara, who finished the 2003 season ranked #22 in the national poll. If UConn can knock off UCSB, they are likely to be rewarded with a match against powerhouse Florida, who was the runner-up in the national championship game last year.
Myers says the tournament "should be a great atmosphere for our players. We are going to have the opportunity to play some great competition and also travel to a place where fans are really into volleyball. We get to take Jenny Neelands back to Gainesville, so that should be a special trip for our team."
Following the trip to Florida, Gampel Pavilion will be the site of the Toyota UConn Husky Classic which will feature teams from Marquette, Houston and Maryland-Eastern Shore. Toyota will be on board for the first time as a sponsor of UConn Athletics and the volleyball program.
The Huskies’ fourth and final tournament of the season is the BIG EAST Challenge, which will be hosted by Rutgers. UConn will play Villanova on the first day, and either Rutgers or Boston College on the final day.
Four home matches will follow for UConn, who will face intrastate rival Quinnipiac on October 6 before taking on their first conference opponent when they play host to Villanova on October 9. The Huskies will face another ranked opponent from last season when they travel to BIG EAST rival Notre Dame on November 5 as part of a three-game road stretch which will also include matches at Syracuse and Boston College.
UConn will close out the season at home with a match against St. John’s on Nov. 13, and the Hartford Courant/CareerBuilder.com Senior Salute on Nov. 14 against Robert Morris.
"Our schedule this year will be very challenging for our players," says Myers. "It will be a strong schedule that will help prepare us for conference competition. We are excited about the year and the caliber of teams that we will be competing against this season."
