UC Irvine Debuts Men's Volleyball Schedule
November 08, 2019 | Men's Volleyball
IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine will host 13 matches in the Bren Events Center in 2019-20 in addition to The Big West Championship (April 23-25).
The season opens with four home matches against teams that will compete for their respective conference titles: Princeton (Dec. 29), Lewis (Jan. 9), Loyola-Chicago (Jan. 10) and Stanford (Jan. 17).
"It's an aggressive start to the season. I suspect this will be the strongest Princeton team in recent history. Loyola and Lewis are always amongst the best of the MIVA teams. And I believe this Stanford team will compete for the MPSF title behind several strong, consecutive recruiting classes," said head coach David Kniffin. "These will be important matches. With at least five new starters debuting, our 2020 squad will still be testing our identity throughout the month."
The Anteaters then welcome BYU for a pair of matches on Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 before rounding out the month with Concordia (Jan. 26).
"Our matches with BYU have proven to be the purest form of high-level volleyball. We are grateful to both administrations for keeping these cross-conference contests alive. There is nothing but respect between these two programs, playing in two first-class venues."
In February, UC Irvine travels to USC (Feb. 1) then on to Hawaii to participate in three matches during the annual and iconic Outrigger Tournament. "It's an honor to play in the Outrigger," said Kniffin. "We won the last time we played in 2015 and are one of the few teams to win there since then. It is a difficult place to play. But the passionate volleyball culture there brings out the best of our sport and our players feed off that."
Conference play commences with a home match against UC San Diego on February 15 before completing the series in La Jolla less than a week later.
In its first two seasons, the Big West Conference claimed back-to-back National Titles and saw four out of five teams voted into AVCA Top 5 during the 2019 season. UC Irvine ranked No. 5 or higher for the majority of the last two seasons.
UC Irvine will then break from its conference schedule, with a return trip to Concordia, a home match with Grand Canyon (Feb. 28) and a trip to Grand Canyon that includes a match with a first-time opponent, North Greenville.
"I'm grateful to Grand Canyon and the relationship we have built. The university and athletic department have made the environment and fan experience a priority. The crowds are great and we enjoy playing there."
The non-conference play concludes with three EIVA opponents: Penn State in The Bren Center (Mar. 13) and Charleston and George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia.
"I'm thankful Penn State is willing to come out here. This is not an easy trip for them. I hope our fans appreciate the opportunity to play such an iconic program here in Irvine," said Kniffin. "Regarding the East Coast trip during spring break, we appreciate Coach Hosack for the opportunity," Kniffin added. "We enjoy the contests with The Patriots, as well as getting to explore DC. It is an incredible trip which completes the student-athlete experience."
The Anteaters return home to resume league action with back-to-back matches against Black & Blue Rival and defending national champions, Long Beach State. The following two weekends includes both home and away matches with UC Santa Barbara and CSUN, respectively. The regular season concludes with two matches at Hawaii on April 17 & 18.
"Including our fall exhibition match in October, The Outrigger Tournament, conference matches and the Big West Tournament, we have a chance at a six-match series with Hawaii. This would be great for the teams and the sport. Our match-ups tend to produce high-level, physical volleyball," Kniffin added.
The following weekend, UC Irvine will host The Big West Championships.
"I feel a growing sense of pride, commitment and leadership amongst Big West coaches and the conference itself," Kniffin ended. "It is a credit to the people within the conference offices and our individual institutions. We all seem to realize we are creating a culture and a brand through volleyball. We know it is special. We know it is unique. And we know that we are charged with being good stewards of this opportunity we have been given. The 2020 season should reinforce this reality."
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TICKETS
Buy Tickets | More Information
Season Tickets | BEST VALUE! Support the team all season at 30% off the single game price.
Mini Plans | Pick any 3 or 5 home games and get 20% off the single game price!
Flex Tickets | The ultimate in flexibility. Flex tickets are electronic vouchers that can be redeemed for any available game. Use them all at once or space them out throughout the season. You choose!
Group Tickets | Have a group of 15 or more? Enjoy discounts and a wide variety of special group experience to make your visit memorable!
Single Game Tickets | Save time and money when you purchase your match day tickets in advance!
Big West Championship tickets will be available at a later date.
Jr. Anteater Kid's Club
Join the official kid's club of UC Irvine Athletics and get free admission to regular season home games! Jr. Anteater's also receive complimentary hot dog, popcorn, and drink from the concession stand at any Bren Events Center home match.
Join Now | More Information
The season opens with four home matches against teams that will compete for their respective conference titles: Princeton (Dec. 29), Lewis (Jan. 9), Loyola-Chicago (Jan. 10) and Stanford (Jan. 17).
"It's an aggressive start to the season. I suspect this will be the strongest Princeton team in recent history. Loyola and Lewis are always amongst the best of the MIVA teams. And I believe this Stanford team will compete for the MPSF title behind several strong, consecutive recruiting classes," said head coach David Kniffin. "These will be important matches. With at least five new starters debuting, our 2020 squad will still be testing our identity throughout the month."
The Anteaters then welcome BYU for a pair of matches on Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 before rounding out the month with Concordia (Jan. 26).
"Our matches with BYU have proven to be the purest form of high-level volleyball. We are grateful to both administrations for keeping these cross-conference contests alive. There is nothing but respect between these two programs, playing in two first-class venues."
In February, UC Irvine travels to USC (Feb. 1) then on to Hawaii to participate in three matches during the annual and iconic Outrigger Tournament. "It's an honor to play in the Outrigger," said Kniffin. "We won the last time we played in 2015 and are one of the few teams to win there since then. It is a difficult place to play. But the passionate volleyball culture there brings out the best of our sport and our players feed off that."
Conference play commences with a home match against UC San Diego on February 15 before completing the series in La Jolla less than a week later.
In its first two seasons, the Big West Conference claimed back-to-back National Titles and saw four out of five teams voted into AVCA Top 5 during the 2019 season. UC Irvine ranked No. 5 or higher for the majority of the last two seasons.
UC Irvine will then break from its conference schedule, with a return trip to Concordia, a home match with Grand Canyon (Feb. 28) and a trip to Grand Canyon that includes a match with a first-time opponent, North Greenville.
"I'm grateful to Grand Canyon and the relationship we have built. The university and athletic department have made the environment and fan experience a priority. The crowds are great and we enjoy playing there."
The non-conference play concludes with three EIVA opponents: Penn State in The Bren Center (Mar. 13) and Charleston and George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia.
"I'm thankful Penn State is willing to come out here. This is not an easy trip for them. I hope our fans appreciate the opportunity to play such an iconic program here in Irvine," said Kniffin. "Regarding the East Coast trip during spring break, we appreciate Coach Hosack for the opportunity," Kniffin added. "We enjoy the contests with The Patriots, as well as getting to explore DC. It is an incredible trip which completes the student-athlete experience."
The Anteaters return home to resume league action with back-to-back matches against Black & Blue Rival and defending national champions, Long Beach State. The following two weekends includes both home and away matches with UC Santa Barbara and CSUN, respectively. The regular season concludes with two matches at Hawaii on April 17 & 18.
"Including our fall exhibition match in October, The Outrigger Tournament, conference matches and the Big West Tournament, we have a chance at a six-match series with Hawaii. This would be great for the teams and the sport. Our match-ups tend to produce high-level, physical volleyball," Kniffin added.
The following weekend, UC Irvine will host The Big West Championships.
"I feel a growing sense of pride, commitment and leadership amongst Big West coaches and the conference itself," Kniffin ended. "It is a credit to the people within the conference offices and our individual institutions. We all seem to realize we are creating a culture and a brand through volleyball. We know it is special. We know it is unique. And we know that we are charged with being good stewards of this opportunity we have been given. The 2020 season should reinforce this reality."
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TICKETS
Buy Tickets | More Information
Season Tickets | BEST VALUE! Support the team all season at 30% off the single game price.
Mini Plans | Pick any 3 or 5 home games and get 20% off the single game price!
Flex Tickets | The ultimate in flexibility. Flex tickets are electronic vouchers that can be redeemed for any available game. Use them all at once or space them out throughout the season. You choose!
Group Tickets | Have a group of 15 or more? Enjoy discounts and a wide variety of special group experience to make your visit memorable!
Single Game Tickets | Save time and money when you purchase your match day tickets in advance!
Big West Championship tickets will be available at a later date.
Jr. Anteater Kid's Club
Join the official kid's club of UC Irvine Athletics and get free admission to regular season home games! Jr. Anteater's also receive complimentary hot dog, popcorn, and drink from the concession stand at any Bren Events Center home match.
Join Now | More Information
UCI Men's Volleyball NCAA Regional Final | 5.2.2026 | Postgame Interview
Monday, May 04
UCI Men's Volleyball NCAA First Round | 5.1.2026 | Postgame Interview
Saturday, May 02
Anteater Spotlights | Ep. 12 | Tim Ennis
Friday, May 01
UCI Men's Volleyball vs. CSUN | 2026 Big West First Round | Postgame Interview
Friday, April 24
