George Washington University Athletics
Volleyball Announces 2011 Schedule
6/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
June 14, 2011
2011 Volleyball Schedule
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The 2011 George Washington volleyball schedule features five matches against teams that appeared in the 2011 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship, including a home-and-home series against defending A-10 champion Dayton. The volleyball team also will host four matches in the DC Challenge at Smith Center's main arena on Aug. 27.
The Colonials open the season Aug. 26 at nearby American in the second match of the six-match DC Challenge before hosting four contests the following day at Charles E. Smith Center. GW will play George Mason and Georgetown at Smith Center Aug. 27 for local bragging rights. After Howard visits Smith Center for a Aug. 30 clash, the Colonials will host the two-day GW Invitational on Sept. 2-3. This year's field includes UNC Wilmington, coached by former GW assistant, Amy Bambenek, along with Central Connecticut State and North Carolina Central.
GW will compete in the VCU Invitational, Sept. 9-10, against Cornell, North Carolina A&T and the host Rams. The Colonials fly to the West Coast to take part in the University of San Diego Tournament, Sept. 16-17. Indiana, UC Santa Barbara and the host Toreros of USD make up the field.
"We have put together a strong schedule for the upcoming season. By going on the road and playing these quality opponents early on, we will get a chance to see what we are made of and it will definitely prepare us for Atlantic 10 Conference play," said first-year GW head coach Amanda Ault.
The Colonials open A-10 Conference play on Sept. 23 at Duquesne and the Nov. 5 Duquesne match will serve as the `Senior Night' match and final home appearance for the GW's lone senior, MacKenzie Knox.
In 2011, the Atlantic 10 Conference will play 15 conference matches with six round-robin opponents and three single matches against the remaining A-10 schools. The six opponents GW will face both home and away in 2011 are Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, Rhode Island, Saint Louis and Xavier. The Colonials will play La Salle on the road while hosting Charlotte at Smith Center. The three-day Atlantic 10 Conference championship will take place Nov. 18-20 at Dayton's Frericks Center featuring the league's top six teams as determined by winning percentage.
"Everything we do in preseason and with our non-conference schedule is aimed to build momentum for what we know will be a very tough conference schedule," Ault added. "We know the key is to be playing our best volleyball when the postseason rolls around. Our goal now, and every year, is to be in the A-10 and ultimately the NCAA tournament. That is what we will strive for and it won't be easy with the competition we will face in our Conference, but it's a challenge that we are excited to take on."
The Colonials return four starters including junior All-Conference Second Team performer Lauren Whyte, who was an A-10 All-Rookie Team selection in 2009, along with 2009 A-10 All-Rookie libero, Candace Silva-Martin. GW concluded the 2010 season with a 17-15 overall record, 6-9 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
"We have a strong group of returnees and we're excited about the incoming class," Ault said. "The Atlantic 10 is a great Conference and you must play your best every night, whether you are at home or on the road."
George Washington will play 13 home matches, all of which can be seen anywhere in the world via live online streaming at GWSports.com.
