2005 Volleyball Schedule Released
June 08, 2005 | Volleyball
GREENVILLE, N.C.--A pair of games against new Conference USA opponents as well as three road tournaments in September highlight the 2005 schedule for Pirate volleyball under first-year coaches Chris Rushing and Eve Rackham.
Rushing, who was named the head volleyball coach of the Pirate program in February after serving in the same role at the University of Tennessee at Martin since 1998, takes over a squad that finished 11-18 overall and 5-9 in conference play a season ago. Rackham, who was the top assistant at Colgate last season, joined the staff in April as assistant coach under Rushing.
"I am extremely excited to kick off a new season with my new job at ECU and work with my new staff and team this upcoming season," said Rushing. "We have worked hard this past Spring semester and we are gearing up with much enthusiasm for this coming Fall season."
The Pirates open the season Aug. 27 at home against William & Mary in Minges Coliseum before hitting the road for three straight preseason tournaments in Boone, N.C., Bowling Green, Ohio and Spartanburg, S.C. Non-conference matches on the slate include trips to North Carolina A&T, Campbell, UNC Wilmington and Coastal Carolina while ECU hosts former C-USA foe Charlotte in the regular season finale Nov. 15.
"Some real good preseason matches have been scheduled that will challenge us, as well as prepare us for Conference USA play," Rushing stated.
The C-USA schedule includes home matches versus Tulane, Marshall, UCF, Southern Miss, SMU, Tulsa, Memphis and UAB. Road contests for ECU include trips to UTEP, Marshall, Memphis, UAB, Rice, Houston, UCF and Southern Miss.
"The participating schools of Conference USA have changed drastically. One can speculate as to which teams might end up at the top, but the end result is never known until the season unfolds. I believe the Conference USA championship is up for grabs as we all learn about our new conference opponents."
