Michigan State University Athletics
Volleyball Announces Fall Non-Conference Schedule
5/27/2022 3:00:00 PM | Volleyball
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State volleyball's 2022 non-conference schedule was announced by first year head coach Leah Johnson on Friday. The Spartans will play 11 out-of-conference opponents over the first four weekends of the season, highlighted by matches against a pair of NCAA tournament teams, two teams selected to play in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, and a conference champion. Several other teams on the schedule finished among the top performers in their respective conferences last season.
"Our young team will be tested early and often throughout these four weeks of play," Johnson said. "This will prove to be vital while our team learns a new style of play, and more importantly builds a culture of service, growth, and honor."
The Spartans will open the 2022 season at home against Louisiana on Friday, Aug. 26 to kick off the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational. Michigan State will match up against Eastern Michigan and Fairfield on Saturday, Aug. 27 to round out day two of the invite. Fairfield was an NCAA qualifier last season as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion. The Stags have appeared in 12 NCAA tournaments in the last 25 years.
MSU will then head to Annapolis, Maryland for its first road trip of the fall, playing in the Kristen Dickmann Invitational hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3. The Spartans will take on Albany and Navy on Friday before meeting VCU on Saturday. VCU was among the top teams in the Atlantic 10 last season, finishing the year with a 13-3 record in conference play.
"We are looking forward to visiting the U.S. Naval Academy during our second week of action," Johnson said. "It's important that we schedule quality opponents, but also important that we provide our student-athletes with memorable learning experiences when we can. I am hopeful that our strong alumni contingent on the east coast will be able to join us as well!"
Michigan State's stretch of road matches continues along the east coast when it sees North Carolina and Duke on Friday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10. UNC was an at-large selection into the 2021 NCAA tournament after finishing the regular season ranked No. 32 in the NCAA RPI. MSU was slated to host both ACC opponents in 2021 before games were canceled. This is the second year of a four-year series against UNC and Duke with MSU welcoming both teams to East Lansing in 2023.
Michigan State concludes its non-conference schedule when it hosts the Green & White Classic on Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept. 17. The Spartans will open play that weekend with a match against Oakland on Friday before meeting Chicago State and Evansville on Saturday. Chicago State and Evansville were both chosen to play in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship last season with Evansville advancing to the quarterfinals.
"I know our fans are excited for the fall to be here and getting to play two home tournaments will be fantastic for our loyal Green & White fanbase," Johnson said. "I am eager to begin the journey and chase our greatest potential all season."
MSU is excited to welcome fans to campus this upcoming season for the beginning of a new era of Spartan volleyball. Information regarding the 2022 Big Ten schedule as well as season tickets will become available in the coming weeks.
"Our young team will be tested early and often throughout these four weeks of play," Johnson said. "This will prove to be vital while our team learns a new style of play, and more importantly builds a culture of service, growth, and honor."
The Spartans will open the 2022 season at home against Louisiana on Friday, Aug. 26 to kick off the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational. Michigan State will match up against Eastern Michigan and Fairfield on Saturday, Aug. 27 to round out day two of the invite. Fairfield was an NCAA qualifier last season as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion. The Stags have appeared in 12 NCAA tournaments in the last 25 years.
MSU will then head to Annapolis, Maryland for its first road trip of the fall, playing in the Kristen Dickmann Invitational hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3. The Spartans will take on Albany and Navy on Friday before meeting VCU on Saturday. VCU was among the top teams in the Atlantic 10 last season, finishing the year with a 13-3 record in conference play.
"We are looking forward to visiting the U.S. Naval Academy during our second week of action," Johnson said. "It's important that we schedule quality opponents, but also important that we provide our student-athletes with memorable learning experiences when we can. I am hopeful that our strong alumni contingent on the east coast will be able to join us as well!"
Michigan State's stretch of road matches continues along the east coast when it sees North Carolina and Duke on Friday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10. UNC was an at-large selection into the 2021 NCAA tournament after finishing the regular season ranked No. 32 in the NCAA RPI. MSU was slated to host both ACC opponents in 2021 before games were canceled. This is the second year of a four-year series against UNC and Duke with MSU welcoming both teams to East Lansing in 2023.
Michigan State concludes its non-conference schedule when it hosts the Green & White Classic on Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept. 17. The Spartans will open play that weekend with a match against Oakland on Friday before meeting Chicago State and Evansville on Saturday. Chicago State and Evansville were both chosen to play in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship last season with Evansville advancing to the quarterfinals.
"I know our fans are excited for the fall to be here and getting to play two home tournaments will be fantastic for our loyal Green & White fanbase," Johnson said. "I am eager to begin the journey and chase our greatest potential all season."
MSU is excited to welcome fans to campus this upcoming season for the beginning of a new era of Spartan volleyball. Information regarding the 2022 Big Ten schedule as well as season tickets will become available in the coming weeks.
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