TicketsJune 3, 2009
CINCINNATI - Coming off a season that featured the program's first BIG EAST Conference regular-season championship and a trip to the NCAA Second Round for just the second time in program history, the University of Cincinnati volleyball team has released its 2009 schedule, 10th-year head coach Reed Sunahara announced today.
The 2009 schedule features nine 2008 NCAA tournament teams, including both of UC's opponents from last year's NCAA Tournament - Western Kentucky and Illinois.
"I think it's a competitive schedule for us especially with a young team," said Sunahara. "Our non-conference schedule includes eight teams that played in the NCAA tournament last season and those matches should prepare us for a challenging BIG EAST season."
The Bearcats open their 2009 campaign Aug. 28-29 at the Utah Classic in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they will meet UC Riverside, Arizona State, and Utah.
UC kicks off its home schedule Sept. 4-5 at Fifth Third Arena with the Bearcat Invitational. Participating in this year's tournament is Youngstown State, Evansville, and the College of Charleston.
The next two weekends, Cincinnati travels to Illinois twice, first to compete in the Illinois State Farm Classic Sept. 11-12, in Champaign, Ill., before returning to the Northwestern Tournament Sept. 18-19, in Evanston, Ill. At those two tournaments, UC will see three 2008 NCAA participants: Illinois, Saint Louis, and Long Island.
In mid-week, non-conference match-ups, the Bearcats travel to Kentucky (Sept. 8), Western Michigan (Sept. 21), Dayton (Sept. 29), and Wright State (Oct. 27), while hosting Western Kentucky (Sept. 15).
The BIG EAST Conference season gets underway Sept. 25 at Villanova, and UC also plays Notre Dame (Oct. 10), DePaul (Oct. 11), Rutgers, (Oct. 17), Seton Hall (Oct. 18), Georgetown (Nov. 6), and USF (Nov. 8) on the road in conference play.
Cincinnati's conference home opener is Oct. 3 versus Pittsburgh. The Bearcats also entertain West Virginia (Oct. 4), Louisville (Oct. 23), Marquette (Oct. 30), Syracuse (Nov. 1), Connecticut (Nov. 14), and St. John's (Nov. 15) at Fifth Third Arena.
Season tickets for adults are $20 and $10 for UCATS and Seniors (55 and older). Youth season tickets also are $10 for children ages 4-12. Individual match prices are $5 for adults, $3 for youth, and UC students can enter free with a valid student ID. For season ticket and individual match ticket information, call 1-877-CATS-TIX.