Spring Conference Slate Released For UE Volleyball
Aces ready to get back on the floor
After a long year away from competitive action, a giant step forward in the process of returning to the floor took place for the University of Evansville volleyball team on Tuesday as the Missouri Valley Conference released the league schedule for the spring of 2021.
“We are very excited to have a schedule for the Spring semester. The girls have been working very hard since July – they were ready for a fall season,†Purple Aces head volleyball coach Fernando Morales said. “The extra time has given us a chance to introduce the freshmen to our playing system and to work on more specific things with the returners. We are ready for the challenge and are looking forward to being back in the gym.â€
UE is coming off of its best season in over a decade. Evansville advanced to the MVC Championships for the first time since 2008 while achieving a winning record with a 16-14 mark in the fall of 2019.
The 2021 schedule format will look a little different than what fans have become accustomed to. In previous seasons, a team would play two teams in back-to-back days, usually on a Friday and Saturday. In a new format that has been put in place for the 2021 campaign, teams will play the same opponent in consecutive days with play taking place on Sunday and Monday.
Conference play officially commences on Sunday, February 7 and the 8th at home against UNI. It is the start of a very competitive start to the year as the Aces will play three of the top four conference teams from 2019 in the opening three weekends of play. The Panthers won the regular season conference crown in 2019 with a 17-1 record. Things do not get any easier in the next weekend of play as UE heads to Chicago on 2/14 and 2/15 to face Loyola. The Ramblers were 14-4 in MVC action last season, taking second place.
On 2/21 and 2/22, the Aces return to Meeks Family Fieldhouse for matches against Bradley. Another solid team from 2019, the Braves were 11-7 in the Valley and placed fourth. The next two series will be on the road with UE traveling to Missouri State (2/28 and 3/1) before a pair of matches at Drake (3/7 and 3/8).
Southern Illinois heads to town for matches on March 14 and 15 before UE heads to Normal, Ill. to face Illinois State on 3/21 and 3/22. One of the most exciting moments of the 2019 season saw Evansville defeat the Redbirds in five sets at Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Sept. 30, 2019. Valparaiso will mark the final home opponent, traveling to Evansville for matches on March 27 and 28. This final series will be played on Saturday and Sunday. The travel partner matches against Indiana State will be announced at a later date.
Illinois State will host the MVC Tournament from April 1-3, 2021. Eight teams will be playing in the tournament at Redbird Arena.
Non-conference matches will be announced soon. Teams may begin playing as soon as January 22. All opponents and dates are subject to change.
2021 MVC SCHEDULE
February 7 and 8, 2021 – vs. UNI
February 14 and 15, 2021 – at Loyola
February 21 and 22, 2021 – vs. Bradley
February 28 and March 1, 2021 – at Missouri State
March 7 and 8, 2021 – at Drake
March 14 and 15, 2021 – vs. Southern Illinois
March 21 and 22, 2021 – at Illinois State
March 27 and 28, 2021 – vs. Valparaiso
April 1-3, 2021 – at MVC Tournament (Normal, Ill.)
