A New Era Begins as Volleyball Releases 2018 Schedule

Complete Schedule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For the first time in 21 years there will be new leadership on the bench for the Tennessee volleyball program, as Eve Rackham takes over as head coach. With that leadership comes a new direction, and that starts with a challenging 2018 schedule.

Tennessee will face seven opponents who participated in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. The Big Orange will see action in three non-conference tournaments this season, including the annual Tennessee Classic and Rocky Top Invitational during the first and second week of the season, respectfully.

The Lady Vols will play 15 home matches at Thompson-Boling Arena.

"I believe our 2018 schedule will challenge us in many ways, while also giving our team opportunities for success," said Rackham. "When putting together non-conference matches, the hope is to always find balance and teams we feel will make us better in some capacity."

For the second year in a row, Tennessee begins the year with an exhibition match against in-state foe Lipscomb on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m.

The regular season will open up at home in the Tennessee Classic, Aug. 24-25. The first opponent out the gate for the Lady Vols will be 2017 NCAA Regionals participant Michigan State on Friday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. The Lady Vols will then take on Belmont and Chattanooga on Aug. 25.

Tennessee remains at home for the Rocky Top Invitational on Aug. 31. The Lady Vols will welcome Winthrop to campus at 7 p.m., before concluding the invite on Sept. 1, facing off against North Florida at 12:30 p.m., and concluding with Indiana State at 7:30 p.m.

The Lady Vols then hit the road for six consecutive contests, beginning with a matchup at ETSU on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. Then Tennessee will travel to California for two matches against San Diego on Sept. 7 and 8 at 10 p.m. The Bucs and the Toreros both are coming off trips to the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

UT stays on the road traveling to Dayton, Ohio, to take part in the Flyer Invitational Sept. 14-15, where The Big Orange face Dayton on opening night at 7 p.m. Tennessee then battles Ohio State and Evansville on Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively.

"Before conference play, we want to know a lot more about ourselves," stated Rackham. "The SEC season will always be tough, with so many good teams in the league. Our goal is to be in the postseason, and this schedule should prepare our team for that chance."

Tennessee's SEC play begins Sept. 20 at Auburn. The 18-match conference slate includes nine home matches. The Big Orange play the next five matches at home starting with league foe Kentucky on Sept. 23, followed by Missouri on Sept. 28. The Lady Vols welcome Arkansas to Thompson-Boiling Arena on Sept. 30, and then a lone match against Alabama on Oct. 3. The Big Orange will close out that home stretch against Mississippi State in their first of two matchups against the Bulldogs on Oct. 7.

The next three matches for the Lady Vols will be on the road as they travel to Lexington to face Kentucky on Oct. 10, and then at Texas A&M and LSU on Oct. 19 and 21, respectively.

Tennessee returns home to face South Carolina on Oct. 24, before heading back on the road for matches at Georgia on Oct. 28, and then at Ole Miss on Nov. 2.

Following a Nov. 4 home matchup against Texas A&M, the Lady Vols will play their final three road matches of the season starting at Mississippi State on Nov. 11, and then at Missouri on Nov. 14. Tennessee closes out the road trip in Fayetteville, Arkansas as they face the Razorbacks on Nov. 18.

The Lady Vols will conclude the regular season at home with their final two matches against Florida and Ole Miss on Nov. 21 and 24.

The complete schedule can be seen HERE.

Tickets
Tickets for single matches will go on sale on Aug. 7, and fans can go to AllVols.com or contact the Tennessee Ticket office at (865) 656-1200.

For the second straight season, the Lady Vols will offer courtside seating. Fans interested in purchasing courtside seats may contact Rocky Kundert at rkundert@utk.edu. Seat prices are $250 for the season, while there are a limited number of seats remaining for this season. Courtside seats are located across from the team benches and the east baseline.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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