UE faces six postseason teams from 2022
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the program gaining momentum each season, the University of Evansville volleyball squad looks ahead to an exciting 2023 campaign. Facing six postseason teams from last season, the Purple Aces are set for a balanced schedule that includes multiple non-conference challenges before the Missouri Valley Conference slate opens.
Opening day will see the Aces travel to the SEMO Invitational on August 25-26. Evansville opens against Southeast Missouri State, who won 17 matches last season, before facing Central Michigan in the second day of action. Last year, the Chippewas went 20-12 en route to a berth in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
August 29 marks the home opener, which will see UE welcome crosstown squad USI to Meeks Family Fieldhouse. September starts off with a trip to the Samford Invite where the Aces open against the host Bulldogs. Going 19-13 in 2022, Samford won the Southern Conference Tournament Championship to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. After facing the Bulldogs on Sept. 1, UE takes on North Alabama one day later.
Non-conference action continues with a trip to the DePaul Invitational on Sept. 8-9. Evansville faces St. Thomas, Northern Illinois and the Blue Demons in the event. On Friday, Sept. 15, the Aces will be in Knoxville, Tennessee where they face Chicago State and Tennessee. In 2021, Chicago State earned a spot in the NIVC while the Volunteers were an at-large selection to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Road matches at Murray State and Belmont open the MVC schedule on Sept. 22 and 23. Following a home game versus Chicago State on the 25th, UE is back on the road for league matches at Southern Illinois and Missouri State.
The month of October begins with a huge home weekend. On Oct. 6, the Aces welcome defending MVC Tournament Champion Northern Iowa to Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Evansville gave the Panthers all they could handle in last year’s conference championship match-up. Defending NIVC runner-up Drake comes to Evansville on Oct. 7. The Bulldogs won a league-best 30 matches a season ago. On the 9th, the Aces play host to Indiana State.
Home action continues against UIC (10/13) and Valparaiso (10/14) before a 3-match road trip to Illinois State, Bradley and the season’s third contest against Chicago State. Following home matches against Missouri State (10/27) and Southern Illinois (10/28), UE embarks on a road swing through Iowa to face Drake on November 2 and UNI on the 3rd. The final two home contests follow with Belmont coming to town on Nov. 10 and Murray State following on the 11th. Regular season play comes to a conclusion on Nov. 13 at Indiana State.
Springfield, Missouri will be the host of the 2022 MVC Championship, which runs from Nov. 19 through the 22nd.
