LARAMIE – The University of Wyoming Volleyball team and head coach Chad Callihan announced the Cowgirls’ 2015 schedule on Friday. UW’s slate features 30 matches with 18 contests in the UniWyo Sports Complex and 12 on the road.
The schedule also includes three home tournaments and an exhibition match. Wyoming will face off against six opponents that made the NCAA tournament last season.
“We are very excited to announce this year’s schedule,” Callihan said. “One of the things that the NCAA selection committee stated was that they want to see teams scheduling for the postseason and that is what we have tried to do with this schedule.”
The Cowgirls open the season with the inaugural Rumble in the Rockies tournament in the UniWyo Sports Complex on Aug. 28-29. The event features the Cowgirls against Big Ten foe Ohio State, South Dakota and Butler. Wyoming then hits the road the following weekend, Sept. 4-5, at the Gonzaga Invitational against the host Zags, Utah and Montana.
UW hosts Pistol Pete’s Showdown on Sept. 11-12 in Laramie. The first-annual event features Marquette, Kansas and Northern Colorado. The Cowgirls close out non conference action hosting the Wyoming Invite Sept. 17-18. UW will welcome Idaho State, McNeese State and Pepperdine.
“Hosting three tournaments with quality teams and kicking off the season against Ohio State will certainly be a highlight,” Callihan said. “Eight opponents finished in the top 100 of the RPI last season, so we will be tested early and often.”
Wyoming will host a unique exhibition match on Sept. 20 by hosting the Chinese professional team Shanghai. The Sunday-afternoon matinee will be a tough task for UW, as Shanghai has won five league titles in the competitive Chinese Volleyball League.
“The exhibition matchup will be a unique opportunity for our program and we are excited for the challenge they will bring,” Callihan said.
The Mountain West portion of the schedule features nine home matches. Notable home contests for the Cowgirls include the MW home opener against Boise State on Sept. 24 and the final match of the regular season against Border War rival Colorado State on Nov. 24. UW will also hit the road for nine MW matches. The Cowgirls most challenging task will be a four-match road swing at Colorado State, San Jose State, Utah State and Boise State from Oct. 13-24.
“The conference schedule will be as challenging as ever with several teams returning multiple starters,” Callihan said. “The schedule is a great one and it should be an exciting year of Cowgirl volleyball.”
Fans may purchase season tickets by calling the Wyoming Athletics Ticket Office at 877-WYO-FAN1 (877-996-3261).
2015 WYOMING COWGIRL VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
August
Fri., Aug. 21 Brown and Gold Scrimmage – Laramie – 6:30 p.m.
Rumble in the Rockies in Laramie
Fri., Aug. 28
South Dakota vs. Butler 4:00 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Wyoming 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 29
Butler vs. Ohio State 9:30 a.m.
South Dakota vs. Wyoming 11:30 a.m.
Ohio State vs. South Dakota 5:00 p.m.
Butler vs. Wyoming 7:00 p.m.
September
Gonzaga Invitational in Spokane, Wash.
Fri., Sept. 4 @Gonzaga 5:00 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 5 vs. Utah 1:00 p.m. vs. Montana 6:00 p.m.
Pistol Pete’s Showdown in Laramie
Fri., Sept. 11
Kansas vs. Northern Colorado 10:00 a.m.
Marquette vs. Wyoming 12:00 p.m.
Northern Colorado vs. Marquette 5:00 p.m.
Kansas vs. Wyoming 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 12
Marquette vs. Kansas 10:30 a.m.
Northern Colorado vs. Wyoming 6:30 p.m.
UniWyo Wyoming Invite in Laramie
Thurs., Sept. 17
Idaho State vs. Wyoming 6:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 18
Pepperdine vs. Idaho State 10:00 a.m.
McNeese State vs. Wyoming 12:00 p.m.
Idaho State vs. McNeese State 5:00 p.m.
Pepperdine vs. Wyoming 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 19
McNeese State vs. Pepperdine 10:00 a.m.
Sun., Sept. 20
Shanghai (China) 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 24 – Boise State* Laramie, 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 26 – Utah State* Laramie, 6:30 p.m.
October
Thurs., Oct. 1 @San Diego State* San Diego, Calif. 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 3 @Nevada* Reno, Nev. TBA
Thurs., Oct. 8 Air Force* Laramie, 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 10 New Mexico* Laramie, 1:00 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 13 @Colorado State* Ft. Collins, Colo. 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 15 @San Jose State* San Jose, Calif. 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 22 @Utah State* Logan, Utah 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 24 @Boise State* Boise, Idaho 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 29 Nevada* Laramie, 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 31 San Diego State* Laramie, 1:00 p.m.
November
Thurs., Nov. 5 @New Mexico* Albuquerque, N.M. 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 7 @Air Force* Colorado Springs, Colo. 2:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 14 San Jose State* Laramie, Wyo. 6:30 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 18 @Fresno State* Fresno, Calif. 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 21 UNLV* Laramie, Wyo. 1:00 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 24 Colorado State* Laramie, Wyo. 6:30 p.m.
* Indicates MWC Matches All matches and times are subject to change
