BOONE, N.C. – Highlighted by 12 home matches, including contests versus an ACC and SEC opponent, Appalachian State volleyball head coach
Matt Ginipro has announced the schedule for the 2018 season.
"I'm really looking forward to the 2018 season to get going," said Ginipro. "We had a great spring and I have no doubt that the team can't wait to get back on the court to show off our improvements. Our non-conference schedule this year is a good mix of teams that will challenge us to play well each time we're out there and will prep us for the Sun Belt season."
The Black and Gold take part in three tournaments to open the season, including serving as host of the Appalachian Invitational.
The season begins on Aug. 24 with a 4:30 p.m. contest against The Citadel at the UNC Asheville Tournament. The Apps take on Coppin State and host UNC Asheville in the tournament on Aug. 25.
The Mountaineers return to the High Country for the Appalachian Invitational on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Appalachian State hosts Davidson on August 31 ACC foe Clemson and SEC opponent Mississippi State on September 1.
App State plays its next eight contests away from home. The Black and Gold take on Utah Valley on Sept. 7 in Raleigh, N.C. and Wright State and Campbell on Sept. 8 in Buies Creek, N.C. in the NCSU/CU Tournament.
Appalachian plays its final three non-conference matches at ETSU on Sept. 11, Furman on Sept. 13 and Winthrop on Sept. 14.
Sun Belt action begins on Sept. 21 at Georgia Southern, followed by a contest at Georgia State on Sept. 22.
The Mountaineers return home for four consecutive Sun Belt home matches. The Black and Gold will welcome UL Monroe (Sept. 28), Louisiana (Sept. 30), Little Rock (Oct. 5 in Varsity Gym) and Arkansas State (Oct. 7) to the High Country.
Appalachian returns to the road for two more matches in Texas versus Texas State on Oct. 12 and UT Arlington on Oct. 13.
Following the trip to Texas, App State comes back to the Holmes Center, where they play five of their next six contests at home, beginning with a match against two-time defending Sun Belt Tournament champion Coastal Carolina on Oct. 19.
After facing the Chanticleers in Conway, S.C. on Oct. 21, the Mountaineers play host to South Alabama (Oct. 26), Troy (Oct. 28), Georgia State (Nov. 2) and Georgia Southern (Nov. 4).
The regular season concludes with the Mountaineers traveling to Alabama to take on Troy on Nov. 9 and South Alabama on Nov. 11.
The Sun Belt Tournament takes place from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18 in Atlanta, Ga., featuring the top-eight teams in the conference, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"I also think our fans are going to love watching this team play because they are a lot of fun on the court," added Ginipro. "That's why the players decided to have a "BFG" (Big Fun Goal) this year of getting 5,000+ fans in the Holmes Center across the 12 matches we will play at home this fall. Having a total attendance of more than 5,000 fans has only happened twice in the past ten years, so we are aiming high and hoping to have a ton of Mountaineer fans in the stands cheering us on."
