Kansas Volleyball Announces 2005 Schedule

June 14, 2005

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

University of Kansas head volleyball coach Ray Bechard announced today another challenging schedule for the Jayhawks in 2005. Coming off its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, KU will open its 31st season of competition at home on Aug. 26 and play a total of nine non-conference contests before Big 12 play begins Sept. 14.

Highlighting the Jayhawks’ non-conference schedule in 2005 are matches against Michigan State, BYU and Alabama. KU will host the Crimson Tide and UMKC in the Kansas Volleyball Classic to open the season (Aug. 26-27) before traveling to Provo, Utah, Sept. 2-3, for a tournament with the Cougars, Utah Valley State and Montana State.

The Jayhawks’ schedule boasts 16 home matches in 2005 including 10 Big 12 Conference contests. KU will enjoy a six-match home stand at Horejsi in early September which features Saint Louis (Sept. 6), Virginia Commonwealth (Sept. 9), Temple (Sept. 9), Michigan State (Sept. 10), Texas A&M (Sept. 14) and Oklahoma (Sept. 17).

In-state rival Kansas State comes to town Oct. 5 while national powerhouse Nebraska visits Horejsi just three days later (Oct. 8). The Border Showdown continues on Nov. 23 when Missouri visits Lawrence on Senior Night. Three talented seniors — Josi Lima, Paula Caten and Andi Rozum — lead a KU squad that welcomes three newcomers in 2005.

KU ends its regular season at Iowa State on Nov. 26 and the 2005 NCAA Volleyball Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 27. First and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament will be held Dec. 1-4.

Kansas finished the 2004 season 19-12 overall and 9-11 in league play and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season. The Jayhawks were ranked as high as 21st nationally and received votes in the USA Today/CSTV Coaches’ Poll for eight weeks in 2005.

“We will face some talented teams from highly-competitive conferences in tournament play early in the season to get us ready for league play,” Bechard said. “The Big 12 has proved that it is one of the best conferences in the nation, and we look forward to finishing high in the league and making another run to postseason play in 2005.”

2005 Kansas Volleyball Schedule