McNeese head coach Sasha Karelov releases 2022 volleyball schedule

LAKE CHARLES — McNeese first year head volleyball coach Sasha Karelov has announced the 2022 schedule and its one that consists of four tournaments, seven teams that played in the 2021 postseason, along with eight home matches.

The eight home matches will mark the first time McNeese will play its home matches in the Legacy Center since the 2019 season. McNeese played its home matches in the Ralph O. Ward Rec Center last fall and its 2021 spring season at SP Arnett Middle School in Westlake, La.

“I’m really excited about our 2022 schedule,” said head coach Sasha Karelov. “I think our preseason matches will give us the chance to work through things and be challenged against some solid, established programs. Our players cannot wait to host our first home match in the Legacy Center on September 13th.  It means the world to them to be able to compete in our amazing facility.”

McNeese will open its season Aug. 26-27 at the Alabama Crimson Tide Invitational where they will face Alabama, Southern Miss, and UTSA.

Following a game at Prairie View, the Cowgirls will travel to Nacogdoches, Texas Sept. 2-3 for the Stephen F. Austin Tournament. The Cowgirls will play matches against Stephen F. Austin, Tulsa, and South Alabama. Stephen F. Austin, Tulsa, and South Alabama all advanced to the postseason last year.

A trip to Houston, Texas to face Rice (Sept. 6) will prelude the Cowgirls’ third tournament of the season when they will take part in the UTSA Tournament (Sept. 9-10). Here McNeese will face UTSA, UT-Arlington, and South Florida.

The final regular season tournament for the Cowgirls will be at Baylor (Sept. 15-16) with matches against Sam Houston, Tulsa, and Baylor who also advanced to the postseason last year.

The Cowgirls will host Texas Southern on Sept. 13 in its home opener with the Southland Conference opener set for Sept. 24 at home against Nicholls.

McNeese will also host its most recent SLC member Texas A&M-Commerce (Oct. 6) along with Northwestern State (Oct. 8), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Oct. 13), Houston Baptist (Oct. 15), New Orleans (Nov. 3), and Southeastern (Nov. 5) in SLC home matches and will travel to Southeastern, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Houston Baptist, Northwestern State, Texas A&M-Commerce, and Nicholls for SLC road matches.

The Southland Conference Tournament is slated for Nov. 17-20 in Houston, Texas with Houston Baptist serving as the host.

2022 McNeese Volleyball Schedule

AUG. 20 BLUE/GOLD SCRIMMAGE

Aug. 26-27  at Alabama Crimson Tide Inv.

Aug. 30   at Prairie View

Sept. 2-3  at Stephen F. Austin Tournament

Sept. 6   at Rice

Sept. 9-10  at UTSA Tournament

SEPT. 13  TEXAS SOUTHERN

Sept. 15-16  at Baylor Tournament

SEPT. 24  *NICHOLLS

Sept. 29   *at Southeastern

Oct. 1   *at New Orleans

OCT. 6   *TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE    

OCT. 8   *NORTHWESTERN STATE    

OCT. 13  *TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI  

OCT. 15  *HOUSTON BAPTIST

Oct. 20   *at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Oct. 22   *at Houston Baptist

Oct. 27   *at Northwestern State

Oct. 29   *at Texas A&M-Commerce

NOV. 3   *NEW ORLEANS    

NOV. 5   *SOUTHEASTERN

Nov. 10   *at Nicholls

Nov. 17-20  Southland Conference Tournament (Hammond)

Home matches in BOLD

*-Southland Conference Match