EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After graduating four seniors last season who were mainstays for the Purple Aces, the UE volleyball team will begin a new era in 2012 as the squad has announced its schedule for the upcoming season.
 
Set to play a total of 31 regular season matches, the team will face some stiff competition, facing five NCAA Tournament teams from 2011 along with playing 18 matches against teams that posted records above .500 a season ago.
 
“Our pre-conference schedule is extremely competitive and will help us to prepare for Valley competition,” Aces head coach Mike Swan said.  “Our season will present a lot of challenges with us facing five teams who made the national tournament last year.”
 
Five of Evansville’s first six contests are against teams who were above .500 last season.  The season opens up on August 24-25 at the Wildcat Classic, which will be hosted by the University of Arizona.  The Aces open up against the Wildcats, who were 19-13 a season ago en route to a berth in the NCAA’s.  Utah Valley State, who was 23-9 in 2011 is the second opponent while they wrap up the event against Cal State Northridge.
 
A week later, UE will travel to the Morehead State Tournament in Morehead, Ky.  The tournaments begins against Alabama A&M before Evansville squares off against heavyweights Morehead State and Northern Kentucky.  The host Eagles made their first NCAA Tournament last season, winning the Ohio Valley Conference while Northern Kentucky went 26-6. 
 
Following a midweek tilt against Murray State, which will mark the home opener on Sept. 4, the Aces travel to St. Louis for the Active Ankle Challenge where they will take on the Billikens, South Florida and SEMO on Sept. 7 and 8.  On the 11^th, UE will take on Belmont before beginning MVC play.  Evansville will play two more non-conference matches after league play begins, traveling to SIUE on Sept. 18 before hosting UT Martin on October 2.
 
Last year, three Valley teams made the NCAA’s, led by Northern Iowa, who was 33-2 overall and a perfect 18-0 in the league.  The Panthers have been perfect in MVC play in each of the last three seasons and advanced to the second round of the NCAA’s.  Missouri State (22-9) and Wichita State (21-11) also received at-large bids.
 
Valley play commences at home as UE will face Illinois State on Sept. 14 before hosting Indiana State the next day.  The final league matches will be on November 9 and 10 as the Aces will face Bradley and Northern Iowa.  On Nov. 16 and 17, the regular season wraps up on the road at Indiana State and Illinois State. 
 
The MVC Tournament will take place from Nov. 22-24 and will be hosted by Missouri State.