The UW Athletic Department released the 2008 volleyball schedule Wednesday as the Wisconsin women's volleyball team prepares for its annual scrimmage against the Badger Alumni Thursday night,
After a disappointing loss in the NCAA second round last season, Wisconsin will reload the roster and see several familiar teams this upcoming fall.
This is a schedule that provides us with a wide variety of levels, styles of play and strong opponents,"" head coach Pete Waite said. ""With eight of the teams earning 20 or more wins last season we know we're up against programs that know how to win. Nine NCAA Tournament teams and five who were ranked or received votes in the final coaches' poll will give us some great opportunities to challenge our players from the beginning of the season to the end.""
Wisconsin will open its season with two road tournaments where they will face three 2007 NCAA Tournament qualifying squads. At the Kentucky Classic, the Badgers will take on the host Wildcats in the tournament finale. The following weekend, Wisconsin will travel to Las Vegas, to take on Miami (OH) last season's MAC Tournament champs, and 2007 Mountain West champions and host UNLV.
""Our pre-conference tournaments on the road will really test us and get us ready for Big Ten play away from the Field House,"" Waite said.
The Inntowner Invitational, hosted by Wisconsin, will feature perennial WAC power Brigham Young, who defeated the Badgers in a five-game thriller last season in Provo, Utah.
""Our home tournament brings in more teams and more variety than any other tournament we play all year,"" Waite said. ""It turned out to be a popular weekend so, to host this many teams, we will play a format in which teams will play selected matchups. The team that is predicted to be the strongest coming in is BYU'¦ We had a great battle at their place and we expect the same type of exciting match in this one.""
The Big Ten season looks as tough as ever with defending national champion Penn State as the favorite to regain conference laurels. Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Minnesota also made the NCAA Tournament last season, and the Badgers will face them all twice during the 2008 season.
""We have a strong and challenging schedule again with some new faces on the court,"" Waite said. ""It should be really exciting and we're all looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.""
- uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
