June 5, 2008

DENVER, COLO. - Matches against seven teams that made the 2007 NCAA Tournament, as well as hosting the nationally renowned Colorado Premier Challenge, highlight the 2008 Metro State volleyball schedule, released Thursday by head coach Debbie Hendricks.

The Roadrunners open their season in style, going to Hilo, Hawaii, for the Hawaiian Style Classic, Aug. 28-30. In Hilo, Metro State faces the host team, Hawaii-Hilo, as well as Charleston and St. Martin's.

"We are going to be a young team again this year, and I think the Hilo tournament will be a good test for us to begin the season," said Hendricks. "Hilo won its conference and narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament, while Charleston won its conference and reached the NCAAs and we have never played St. Martin's before so we look forward to competing against them."

The Roadrunners then return home for the 13th annual Colorado Premier Challenge, Sept. 5-6, where they face NCAA quarterfinalist Grand Valley State and NCAA qualifier Augustana on the first day of competition. The tournament again features some of the best teams in the country, as six squads were ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 to end the year, including defending national champion Concordia-St. Paul.

"Again we have put together a stellar national field for the Premier," said Hendricks. "Any time you can bring in the defending national champion, you know it is a high caliber tournament. We begin with an important regional match against Augustana, which will be a good measuring stick for our competitiveness in our new region. Grand Valley State advanced to the Elite Eight last year and is a former national champion. We feel it is important to push ourselves before entering Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play."

The RMAC slate is comprised of 19 matches, including match-ups with NCAA participant and last year's league champion Nebraska-Kearney (UNK), and NCAA qualifiers Mesa State, UC-Colorado Springs and Fort Lewis. The Roadrunners open RMAC play at home against Colorado School of Mines and Chadron State, Sept. 12-13, and have four of their first six RMAC matches at home.

"The conference is a little bit of an unknown this season," said Hendricks. "Those teams that challenged for the conference title last season are rebuilding this season, so we really do not know what to expect. Nebraska-Kearney is again going to be very tough to beat, but I feel like we have all the pieces in place to challenge for a conference title."

Metro State finished 16-15 overall last season and advanced to its eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament.

For the complete schedule, please click HERE