From our friends at GW Athletics...
Colonials to Face Three NCAA Tournament Teams, Host Two Tournaments as Part of 29-Match Schedule
The George Washington volleyball team will face three NCAA tournament teams and host a pair of preseason tournaments as part of its 29-match regular-season schedule in 2014 and will also welcome the Puerto Rico Junior National Team for an exhibition at the Charles E. Smith Center, head coach Amanda Ault announced on Monday.
The Colonials will participate in a quartet of non-conference tournaments to open the 2014 campaign, beginning with the George Washington Invitational, August 29-30, at Smith Center. GW will play matches against Arkansas State and Auburn on August 29 before wrapping the tournament against North Dakota on August 30. GW defeated Arkansas State in the only meeting between the two schools in 1997 and will seek its first win in four tries against Auburn in a series that dates to 1988. The Colonials have never faced North Dakota.
GW will welcome the Puerto Rico Junior National Team to Smith Center on September 3 for an exhibition match. The national team is also visiting and competing against American and George Mason as part of its tour of Washington, D.C.
The Colonials will hit the road for the first time on the weekend of September 5-6 to compete in the James Madison Invitational against the host Dukes, Southeastern Louisiana and 2013 NCAA Tournament participant Hampton. GW is 16-2 against James Madison, but has never faced Southeastern Louisiana or Hampton.
The Colonials return to Smith Center the weekend of Sept. 12-13 to host the Colonials Challenge against Columbia, Baylor and Illinois State. GW defeated Baylor in the only meeting between the two teams in 1992, is 0-1 against Illinois State after a meeting in the 1993 season and has never faced Columbia.
The following Tuesday (Sept. 16), GW hosts Georgetown in a midweek non-conference clash. GW leads the all-time series against its District rival by a 35-29 margin.
The Colonials conclude their non-conference tournament slate at the Valparaiso Popcorn Classic against the host Crusaders, Sacramento State and Murray State. GW has only faced Murray State in the past, defeating the Racers during the 1992 season.
GW will also play a non-conference match against Patriot League champion and NCAA Sweet 16 participant American on October 29 at the Eagles' Bender Arena. The Colonials defeated American at the 2011 DC Volleyball Challenge to extend their all-time advantage over the Eagles to 11-6.
The Colonials will host Rhode Island (Sept. 26), Fordham (Sept. 27), Saint Louis (Oct. 10), Dayton (Oct. 11), George Mason (Oct. 31), VCU (Nov. 7) and conference newcomer Davidson (Nov. 8) in home Atlantic 10 matches this season.
The road A-10 schedule features matches at George Mason (Oct. 3), Davidson (Oct. 17), VCU (Oct. 19), La Salle (Oct. 24), Duquesne (Oct. 26), Fordham (Nov. 14) and Rhode Island (Nov. 16).
The Atlantic 10 Championship will be held November 21-23 at Dayton's Frericks Center in Dayton, Ohio.
Visit GWsports.com/Tickets or call 202-99-GWTIX and get ready to #RaiseHigh with GW volleyball in 2014!
Here's a rundown of this year's HOME schedule...
August 29 @ 10:00 AM vs. Arkansas State (GW Invitational)
August 29 @ 7:00 PM vs. Auburn (GW Invitational)
August 30 @ 3:00 PM vs. North Dakota (GW Invitational)
September 3 @ 7:00 PM vs. Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico (Exhibition)
September 12 @ 10:00 AM vs. Columbia (Colonial Challenge)
September 12 @ 7:00 PM vs. Baylor (Colonial Challenge)
September 13 @ 2:00 PM vs. Illinois State (Colonial Challenge)
September 16 @ 7:00 PM vs. Georgetown
September 26 @ 7:00 PM vs. Rhode Island*
September 27 @ 7:00 PM vs. Fordham*
October 10 @ 7:00 PM vs. Saint Louis*
October 11 @ 7:00 PM vs. Dayton*
October 31 @ 7:00 PM vs. George Mason*
November 7 @ 7:00 PM vs. VCU*
November 8 @ 7:00 PM vs. Davidson*
* Conference Event
