2008 Kansas Volleyball Schedule Released

May 15, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

2008 Kansas Volleyball Schedule Get Acrobat Reader

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Kansas head volleyball coach Ray Bechard announced Thursday another challenging schedule for the Jayhawks in 2008. KU will open the 2008 season in Richmond, Va., for the Virginia Commonwealth Tournament, Aug. 29-30, and play a total of nine non-conference contests before Big 12 play begins Sept. 17 at Colorado.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Kansas hosts the Jayhawk Invite, Sept. 5-6, as they take on UtahValley, Central Florida and 2007 Sweet 16 participant, Oregon. KU boasts a 14-match home schedule in 2008, including 10 Big 12 matches.

The team will make a visit to Laramie, Wyom., for the Cowgirl Classic, Sept. 12-13, with match ups against Wyoming, Alabama at Birmingham and ClevelandState, an NCAA Tournament participant a year ago.

“We have a lot of quality non-conference opponents on the schedule this season, especially in UAB and Sweet 16 team Oregon,” said Bechard. “We will be going up against a lot of teams that have the potential of getting into this year’s NCAA Tournament that will prepare us well for conference play.”

KU welcomes IowaState, a top 25 team in 2007, on the Sept. 20for its Big 12 home opener. A week later, powerhouse Texas comes to the HorejsiFamilyAthleticsCenter before Kansas hosts in-state rival and NCAA Tournament team KansasState on Oct. 1. The Border Showdown continues in Lawrence against Missouri on Oct. 29.

The Jayhawks and national power Nebraska will go head-to-head on Nov. 15 on KU’s home floor and Baylor will make the trip to Lawrence on Nov. 26 for senior night. Kansas wraps up the 2008 regular season in Ames, Iowa on Nov. 29.

“The Big 12 will be quite demanding,” Bechard said. “It has proved that it is one of the best conferences in the nation, and we look forward to the challenge.”

The 2007 Kansas Jayhawks went 13-17 with a 6-14 mark in Big 12 Conference matches.