SPORTS

 

Davidson head volleyball coach Chris Willis is hopeful challenges at home and on the road will lead to success in and out of the Atlantic 10 Conference this fall, he noted upon releasing the 2019 schedule Monday.

The Wildcats, 12-13 last fall, open the season in a tournament at Winthrop Aug. 30.

In non-conference play, Davidson will participate in four four-team tournaments, including at Winthrop (Aug. 30-31) and at Liberty Sept. 7-8, followed by back-to-back home weekend events. The 14-match Atlantic 10 slate begins Friday, Sept. 27 when the Wildcats welcome Duquesne to Belk Arena in the first of five straight home matches.

“I’m excited about the upcoming season and have built a schedule to prepare us to be successful in the Atlantic 10 this year,” said Willis, who is entering his ninth season. “For the first time, we’ll be hosting two pre-conference tournaments, which I’m excited about. We essentially play at home for five weeks straight in the middle of our season. I hope this gives our players and fans a boost as we push for success in the A-10. Ultimately, our goal is similar to everyone else’s in the conference — to win the A-10 Tournament. I think our schedule will be an asset as we strive for this goal.”

The Davidson Invitational, also featuring N.C. Central, Presbyterian and UNC Wilmington, will be held Sept. 13-14 in Belk Arena. Davidson will then host the Wildcat Classic Sept. 20-21, as High Point, Jacksonville and Wofford visit.

In the A-10, the Wildcats will play home-and-home series with Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle, Rhode Island and VCU. They will host George Mason and George Washington and visit Dayton and Saint Louis.

In addition to its competitive schedule, Davidson will host three exhibitions in Belk Arena. The annual Red/Black scrimmage is Sunday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m., Gardner-Webb visits for an exhibition Saturday, Aug. 24 and the Wildcats’ alumni match is set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.

The A-10 Tournament is set for Nov. 21-24 at Rhode Island.