June 26, 2008

DETROIT - The Wayne State volleyball team has finalized its 2008 schedule, which will commence Aug. 29 at the California State University Monterey Bay Otter Classic in Seaside, Calif. The Warriors will participate in two tournaments before opening GLIAC play at home Sept. 12 against Grand Valley State, the 2007 Great Lakes Regional Champion and Elite Eight participant.

Wayne State will face Merrimack and Western Oregon, two schools which qualified for their respective NCAA Regional tournaments a year ago, as well as Humboldt State and CSU Monterey Bay on its trip to the west coast.

The Warriors head to Ohio the following weekend for a tournament hosted by the University of Findlay. Bellarmine and Wheeling Jesuit are slated for Sept. 5, while 2007 Atlantic Regional champion California (Pa.) and former GLIAC member Gannon will battle WSU the following day.

The Sept. 12 showdown against the Lakers will open a five-match GLIAC homestand for the Warriors, who will also host Ferris State, Northwood, Findlay, and 2007 GLIAC Tournament finalist Hillsdale in that stretch.

Wayne State will participate in the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover, hosted by the University of Indianapolis, midway through the season, with pairings and match times to be determined.

"We are very excited about the 2008 season. We've put together a non-conference schedule that should prepare us for our GLIAC matches," said first year head coach Phil Nickel. "This schedule will give us a chance to be successful while also giving the coaching staff a chance to see where we are as a team."

Wayne State went 10-15 last season, including a 5-12 mark in conference play, and finished fourth in the GLIAC South Division. The Warriors are looking to qualify for the GLIAC Tournament for the first time since 2005.

Click HERE for the complete 2008 volleyball schedule.