2012 SAMFORD VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Samford Volleyball Head Coach Derek Schroeder announced the Bulldogs' 2012 schedule Tuesday, as they will look to defend their 2011 conference title against a tough slate, including preseason tournaments in Miami and Louisville.
 
“We are very excited about our 2012 journey,” said Schroeder.  “It is very easy for a team coming off the first championship in school history to take their foot off the gas and coast a little.  We started our offseason training that way, but our senior leadership kicked in and we have been dialed in since February.
 
“Nothing about this season will be easy and we're expecting that from the beginning.”
 
The pre-conference portion of the schedule will prove very challenging, opening with three-game tournaments in Miami and Louisville.  The Bulldogs open play on Friday, August 24 against Rutgers at 10 a.m. ET at the Hurricane Invitational on the campus of the University of Miami.  The following day, the Bulldogs will play Ole Miss (10 a.m. ET) and the host team Miami (7 p.m. ET).
 
The following weekend, Samford heads up to Louisville, Ky., for the Cardinal Classic.  On Friday, August 31, Samford squares off against Marshall (5 p.m. ET) and on Saturday, Sept. 1, the Bulldogs will face Duke (1:30 p.m. ET) and Louisville (7:30 p.m. ET).
 
“Our preseason schedule is very tough,” said Schroeder.  “The first two weeks will be the most difficult string of matches Samford has played since I became the coach here.  Our seniors are excited for the challenge.”
 
“Coach always wants us to feel invested in the program,” said senior setter Casey Garvey.  “It was great when he asked the seniors about preseason scheduling.  We want to play some bigger teams to be more ready in November and December for playoff volleyball.”
 
“We can't wait for preseason,” said senior outside hitter Elizabeth Neisler, the 2011 SoCon Player of the Year.  “Everyone is here this summer and most everyone has sacrificed something to be here.  Workouts on our own are intense and fun already!”
 
On Wednesday, September 5, Samford will have its home opener against North Alabama (7 p.m. CT).  The following weekend the Bulldogs will head to Atlanta, Ga., for the Georgia State Tournament.  There, they will face Georgia State on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. ET and then South Alabama (11 a.m. ET) and Mercer (5 p.m. ET) on Sunday, Sept. 8.
 
The Bulldogs will return to Birmingham to host the University of Alabama for a mid-week match on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. CT.  The pre-conference portion of the schedule concludes with Samford hosting the Bulldog Invitational on Friday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 15.  Samford will face Alcorn State (noon CT) and Tennessee Tech (7 p.m. CT) on day one and Gardner Webb (2 p.m. CT) on day two.
 
“SoCon play will take another step forward this season,” said Schroeder.  “SoCon volleyball has increased their RPI steadily over the past few years.  With us returning every athlete from last year's championship, every school sees the standard they need to play at to win this year and we expect all of them to be stronger.”
 
Samford begins conference play hosting Western Carolina on Friday, Sept. 21 (7 p.m. CT) and Appalachian State on Saturday, Sept. 22 (7 p.m. CT).  The following weekend they will take a quick trip to face Chattanooga on Friday, Sept. 28 (7 p.m. ET) before returning home on Saturday, Sept. 29 to play Furman (6 p.m. CT).
 
Samford will play its next four games on the road, beginning on Friday, Oct. 5 at UNCG (6 p.m. ET) and Saturday Oct. 6 at Elon (7 p.m. ET).  Sept. 12 will be a rematch of the 2011 SoCon Championship, as the Bulldogs face the College of Charleston (7 p.m. ET) and then the Bulldogs conclude the road stint at The Citadel on Saturday, Oct. 13 (7 p.m. ET).
 
Samford returns home on Saturday, Oct. 20 to play Georgia Southern (2 p.m. CT) and then Davidson on Sunday, Oct. 21 (2 p.m. CT).  The Bulldogs break for a whole week before resuming play at Wofford on Sunday, Oct. 28 (2 p.m. ET) and then hosting Chattanooga on Tuesday, Oct. 30 (6 p.m.).
 
In the final home weekend of the season, the Bulldogs will play Elon on Friday, Nov. 2 (7 p.m. CT) and UNCG on Saturday, Nov. 3 (7 p.m. CT).  Samford closes out the regular season at Western Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 10 (6 p.m. ET) and Appalachian State on Sunday, Nov. 11 (2 p.m. ET).
 
Davidson will serve as the host for the 2012 SoCon Tournament, which begins on Friday, Nov. 16 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 18.