Men's Volleyball Unveils 2019 Schedule
November 16, 2018 | Men's Volleyball
IRVINE, Calif. -- Historically UC Irvine plays one of the toughest schedules in the country and 2019 will be no different. The 2019 campaign includes 17 road matches in six states.
The gauntlet starts from the opening match. The Anteaters will play five matches in eight days and with first eight competitions away from Irvine.
UCI will face the predicted top two teams in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association out of the gate, facing Loyola-Chicago on Jan. 4 and Lewis on Jan. 5.
A trip to Ball State (Jan. 7) is followed by Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association action against Princeton (Jan. 11) and George Mason (Jan. 12).
"I look at the early cross country swing as a barometer of how we match up with the rest of the country. When we return home, we see how we fare versus the West Coast where we will play the meat of the season," head coach David Kniffin said.
A pair of matches at Stanford on Jan. 17 and 19 proceeds a visit to rival USC on Jan. 23 before the Anteaters finally debut at home against Concordia (Jan. 23) and Pepperdine (Jan. 25).
Coach Kniffin attempts to play a new team every year and this year EIVA member Charleston (W.V.) is added to the all-time opponent list in the first match of a double-header at Grand Canyon on Feb. 1. With no time to rest, UCI returns home the next night to take on USC on Feb. 2.
"I suppose our schedule looks daunting. But our preseason trip to Asia and our history of scheduling tough has prepared us," Kniffin added. "If anyone knows how to navigate a rigorous schedule, we do. We navigated three countries in 18 days while competing with some of the top teams in Korea, Japan and China."
Big West Conference play starts with UC San Diego on the road (Feb. 8) before hosting the Tritons in a perfect Valentine's Day date night option at the Bren Center on Feb. 14.
A week with four important matches follows as Hawaii comes to Irvine this year with exciting back-to-back matches on Mar. 3 & 4. The Anteaters then head to BYU for a pair of matches Mar. 8 & 9.
"Hawaii traditionally draws a great crowd and is always a high energy match. It is definitely one of the most enjoyable match-ups for spectators," Kniffin said. "And I know I've said it before, but BYU is one of my favorite places to play. The environment, support and competition is unmatched in volleyball."
Trips to Concordia (Feb. 13) and Pepperdine (Mar. 23) will get UCI ready for a showdown with Black & Blue rivals Long Beach State. The first meeting will be held on Mar. 29 at home then up the 405 on Mar. 30 for a match at The Pyramid.
"Unfortunately, for the second straight year, the series with Long Beach falls during Spring Break, but I'm hoping fans and students recognize the caliber of the competition and will make it a play-off feeling in the Bren," Kniffin ended.
A series against CSUN (Apr. 5 & 6) and UC Santa Barbara (Mar. 12 & 13) conclude the regular season.
In April, the Big West Championships which will be held in Hawaii, with the National Championships held in Long Beach two weeks later.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TICKET OPTIONS
Season Tickets
BEST VALUE! Enjoy 30% off the single game price.
Buy Now | More Information
Mini Plan
Pick any 3 games and get 20% off the single game price!
Buy Now | More Information
Flex Tickets
The ultimate in flexibility. Flex tickets are electronic vouchers that can be redeemed for any available game and seat. Use them all at once or space them out throughout the season. You choose!
Buy Now | More Information
Group Tickets
Have a group of 15 or more? Enjoy discounts and a wide variety of special group experience to make your visit memorable!
Buy Now | More Information
Single Game
Save time and money when you purchase your match day tickets in advance!
Buy Now | More Information
Jr. Anteater Kid's Club
Join the official kid's club of UC Irvine Athletics and get free admission to regular season home games!
Join Now | More Information
The gauntlet starts from the opening match. The Anteaters will play five matches in eight days and with first eight competitions away from Irvine.
UCI will face the predicted top two teams in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association out of the gate, facing Loyola-Chicago on Jan. 4 and Lewis on Jan. 5.
A trip to Ball State (Jan. 7) is followed by Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association action against Princeton (Jan. 11) and George Mason (Jan. 12).
"I look at the early cross country swing as a barometer of how we match up with the rest of the country. When we return home, we see how we fare versus the West Coast where we will play the meat of the season," head coach David Kniffin said.
A pair of matches at Stanford on Jan. 17 and 19 proceeds a visit to rival USC on Jan. 23 before the Anteaters finally debut at home against Concordia (Jan. 23) and Pepperdine (Jan. 25).
Coach Kniffin attempts to play a new team every year and this year EIVA member Charleston (W.V.) is added to the all-time opponent list in the first match of a double-header at Grand Canyon on Feb. 1. With no time to rest, UCI returns home the next night to take on USC on Feb. 2.
"I suppose our schedule looks daunting. But our preseason trip to Asia and our history of scheduling tough has prepared us," Kniffin added. "If anyone knows how to navigate a rigorous schedule, we do. We navigated three countries in 18 days while competing with some of the top teams in Korea, Japan and China."
Big West Conference play starts with UC San Diego on the road (Feb. 8) before hosting the Tritons in a perfect Valentine's Day date night option at the Bren Center on Feb. 14.
A week with four important matches follows as Hawaii comes to Irvine this year with exciting back-to-back matches on Mar. 3 & 4. The Anteaters then head to BYU for a pair of matches Mar. 8 & 9.
"Hawaii traditionally draws a great crowd and is always a high energy match. It is definitely one of the most enjoyable match-ups for spectators," Kniffin said. "And I know I've said it before, but BYU is one of my favorite places to play. The environment, support and competition is unmatched in volleyball."
Trips to Concordia (Feb. 13) and Pepperdine (Mar. 23) will get UCI ready for a showdown with Black & Blue rivals Long Beach State. The first meeting will be held on Mar. 29 at home then up the 405 on Mar. 30 for a match at The Pyramid.
"Unfortunately, for the second straight year, the series with Long Beach falls during Spring Break, but I'm hoping fans and students recognize the caliber of the competition and will make it a play-off feeling in the Bren," Kniffin ended.
A series against CSUN (Apr. 5 & 6) and UC Santa Barbara (Mar. 12 & 13) conclude the regular season.
In April, the Big West Championships which will be held in Hawaii, with the National Championships held in Long Beach two weeks later.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TICKET OPTIONS
Season Tickets
BEST VALUE! Enjoy 30% off the single game price.
Buy Now | More Information
Mini Plan
Pick any 3 games and get 20% off the single game price!
Buy Now | More Information
Flex Tickets
The ultimate in flexibility. Flex tickets are electronic vouchers that can be redeemed for any available game and seat. Use them all at once or space them out throughout the season. You choose!
Buy Now | More Information
Group Tickets
Have a group of 15 or more? Enjoy discounts and a wide variety of special group experience to make your visit memorable!
Buy Now | More Information
Single Game
Save time and money when you purchase your match day tickets in advance!
Buy Now | More Information
Jr. Anteater Kid's Club
Join the official kid's club of UC Irvine Athletics and get free admission to regular season home games!
Join Now | More Information
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