The Montana State volleyball team will face the defending national champions and 2016 preseason No. 1-ranked Nebraska as part of its non-conference slate this fall, announced Bobcat head coach JJ Riley.
The 2016 MSU volleyball schedule features matches with five teams that made the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball tournament, including the Cornhuskers, Creighton, Loyola-Marymount, Denver and Northern Arizona, last season.
“I think our schedule will give our student-athletes a good look at what it takes to be a top program,” Riley said. “We have a good mix of non-conference tournaments that have quality opponents and will be able to test and push our young group.
“We’re excited to be part of Nebraska’s tournament. To be able to play in the premier gym of collegiate volleyball against the best program is something our kids will never forget. They are all looking forward to the challenge and we certainly will be battle-tested heading into Big Sky Conference play.”
MSU opens its season on Aug. 26 at Air Force. The Bobcats will face the Falcons, along with Grand Canyon and Jacksonville State.
The following week, the Bobcats will compete in the Pioneer Classic against Denver, Utah State and LMU.
Reilly is working on putting together an Alumni match on Sept. 9, before heading to Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 16, where the Cats will face the Huskers, Creighton and Gonzaga.
Montana State will open its 2016 Big Sky Conference schedule at home,Sept. 22, against Idaho. The Bobcats will play UI, Eastern Washington, Montana, Northern Colorado and North Dakota, twice, while meeting Portland State, Sacramento State, Weber State, Idaho State, NAU and Southern Utah, once.
2016 Montana State Volleyball Schedule:
Aug. 26-27 at Air Force Tournament
Sept. 2-3 at Denver Tournament
Sept. 9 Alumni Match
Sept. 16-17 at Nebraska Tournament
Sept. 22 Idaho*
Sept. 24 Eastern Washington*
Sept. 29 at Portland State*
Oct. 1 Montana*
Oct. 6 Weber State*
Oct. 8 Idaho State*
Oct. 13 at North Dakota*
Oct. 15 at Northern Colorado*
Oct. 20 at Northern Arizona*
Oct. 22 at Southern Utah*
Oc.t 28 Northern Colorado*
Oct. 29 North Dakota*
Nov. 3 at Sacramento State*
Nov. 5 at Montana*
Nov. 10 Eastern Washington*
Nov. 12 Idaho*
Press release courtesy of Montana State Athletics. All Rights Reserved.
