Highlanders’ 2021 Volleyball Schedule Released

RIVERSIDE, Calif.— The 2021 schedule has been released for UC Riverside volleyball, illuminating the Highlanders' exciting return to competition.

Featuring 12 of the team's 29 regular-season matches back home at SRC Arena, the 2021 UC Riverside volleyball schedule offers the exciting opportunity for the Highlanders to pursue their potential between the lines, which everyone has awaited with great anticipation since the shutdown of competition in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are excited to report back as a team, train together and prepare for competition for the 2021 season," said head coach Michelle Patton-Coleman, who enters her ninth season leading the Highlanders. "Our preseason presents a great opportunity to get our young team valuable experience competing before the start of conference. It goes by fast, so learning how to compete at a high level over time will be key."

Following a closed scrimmage at Redlands Friday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m., the Highlanders open their 2021 campaign the following Saturday, Aug. 28, on the road at the Titan Classic in Fullerton, Calif., where UC Riverside takes on Fordham at 10 a.m. and New Mexico at 1 p.m. (all times Pacific unless indicated).

A 10-match stretch of nonconference opponents to open the season continues the following weekend in Fresno, where UC Riverside faces Loyola Marymount at 11 a.m. followed by the host Bulldogs at 7 p.m. at the Fresno State Invitational on Sept. 4.

The Highlanders' home debut happens Friday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. against Southern Utah, as the Riverside Classic returns to the SRC Arena. That match is preceded at 12 p.m. by New Orleans vs. Southern Utah. New Orleans is UC Riverside's next opponent at the Classic the following day, Sept. 11, at 12 p.m. Following their hosting of the UC Riverside Classic, the Highlanders will hustle over to California Baptist to play the Lancers at 7 p.m. the same Saturday at CBU.

The Highlanders head for the desert the following weekend, when they compete at the Wildcat Classic in Tucson Friday, Sept. 17, against Arizona at 10 a.m. and Texas Southern at 4:30 p.m., followed by San Diego State Sunday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m.

Back in the classroom the following day with 24 hours to prepare, the Highlanders hosts UC Davis to open Big West Conference play at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at SRC Arena. Hawai'i then comes to town on Thursday, Sept. 23, for a 7 p.m. start at SRC Arena. Two road matches at UC San Diego on Oct.1 and at UC Irvine on Oct. 2, both at 7 p.m., separate the Highlanders from their next stretch of home matches, a four-match slate starting with Cal Poly at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7. The Highlanders host CSU Bakersfield at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, followed by UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m.; and CSUN on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.

The Highlanders will be challenged to finish the regular season with eight of their last 12 matches on the road, starting Friday, Oct. 22, at Long Beach State (7 p.m.). After visiting Cal State Fullerton Saturday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m., followed by UC Davis Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., and Hawai'i Saturday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. HT (10 p.m. PT).

UC Riverside then returns home to host UC Irvine Thursday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m., followed by UC San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m.

Four more road matches – at CSU Bakersfield Friday, Nov. 12 (5 p.m.); Cal Poly Saturday, Nov. 13 (2 p.m.); CSUN Friday, Nov. 19 (7 p.m.); and UC Santa Barbara Saturday, Nov. 20 (7 p.m.) – precede the final home dates and conclusion of the regular season, as the Highlanders host Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, followed by Long Beach State on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m.

Following the announcement of times and locations for Big West Conference postseason, the 2021 NCAA Championship Tournament is set to begin in early December. To connect further with the Highlanders, follow @UCRVolleyball on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Highlanders’ 2021 Volleyball Schedule Released

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