Volleyball unveils 2012 schedule

Head coach Dave Nichols and FGCU volleyball have released their 2012 schedule.  The schedule consists of 11 home matches facing off against all nine Atlantic Sun opponents and two non-conference opponents Bethune Cookman and Florida International.

“Our 2012 schedule is nicely balanced, which not only continues our philosophy of playing top 10 programs, but also continues our instate rivalries with USF and FIU,” said Nichols. “The rest of the non-conference schedule is a nice blend of tournaments that will pit us against some very solid teams from more of the mid-major conferences. We expect the tough pre-conference schedule to prepare us for the ever-improving A-Sun competition.”

FGCU faces 13 non-conference opponents from conference such as the BIG EAST and SEC.

The Eagles will kick off the season on the road at the Florida Tournament (Aug. 24-25) where they will take on FAMU, FIU and host Florida. The Gators, who are coming off an Elite Eight run in 2011 and their 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

FGCU then heads west to participate in the Wyoming Tournament (Aug. 31-Sept 1). The tournament field includes George Washington, Missouri, Bethune-Cookman and Wyoming. The Tigers fell in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament to No. 17 Florida, 3-1 (25-23, 16-25, 20-25, 16-25) to finish the year with a record of 21-13. Mizzou’s NCAA Tournament appearance was their 10th in 12 seasons.

The Eagles  then fly north to participate in the Rocket Classic hosted by the University of Toledo from Sept. 7-8. The Rockets will welcome FGCU along with Memphis and Illinois State to the Glass City for a series of matches. They face off against Memphis, Illinois State and Toledo.

After the three tournaments the Eagles will head to Tampa to face off against USF Sept. 18. Then start conference play on the road against Kennesaw State Sept. 21.

The Eagles don’t come home until Sept. 25 where they play three matches in four days against UNF, ETSU and USC Upstate, all A-Sun matches.

The 2012 edition of the Eagles returns 11 players, including 2011 Freshman of the Year and second team All-Conference performer Jill Hopper. FGCU also welcomes four newcomers to the program, including transfers Courtney Greenberg, Christine Pinder and Karina Mambuca.