DETROIT - The 2011 schedule for the Wayne State University volleyball team has been announced. The Warriors will begin their 37th season of volleyball Sept. 2-3 at the Tritons Classic hosted by the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Of Wayne State’s 18 scheduled opponents, seven qualified for the 2010 NCAA Tournament including three of WSU’s four opponents on the opening weekend.
UMSL posted a 20-9 record in 2010 and earned an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 1991. North Alabama has made 13 regional appearances in the last 15 years, while Gannon has recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons and two consecutive tournament berths. Wayne State will also face Lindenwood, which is beginning the process of transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II.
The Warriors begin conference play on the road Sept. 9 at Ashland, and will host their first GLIAC match Sept. 17 against Ohio Dominican. The schedule also includes three Sunday matches – Sept. 18 against Tiffin, Sept. 25 at Ferris State, and Oct. 30 against Lake Erie.
A non-conference match versus Lewis is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Mishawaka (Ind.) High School.
The third annual GLIAC/GLVC Crossover will be held Oct. 14-15, at the Great Lakes Center in Aurora, Ill., with a schedule to be determined. Following the Crossover, three of WSU’s eight remaining matches will be played at the Matthaei, leading into the 2011 GLIAC Tournament beginning Thursday, Nov. 10.
Wayne State finished its 2010 season with a 15-12 record, including a 13-6 conference mark to finish second in the GLIAC South Division. The Warriors have qualified for the GLIAC Tournament each of the last three years under head coach Phil Nickel.
