March 21, 2012

by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Southeastern Conference released the 2012 volleyball conference schedule on Wednesday, and South Carolina is set to host three teams that advanced into the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Among the 10 matches being played at the Volleyball Competition Facility this fall will be matches against perennial powers Florida and Tennessee as well as league newcomer Texas A&M. Florida made the regional semifinals last season, while both Tennessee and Texas A&M won their opening-round contests.

“We are excited to take the challenge of a very tough SEC schedule head on in 2012,” said Gamecock head coach Scott Swanson. “The addition of Missouri and Texas A&M to the SEC makes our league one of the best volleyball leagues in the country. Our goal for the 2012 season is continuous improvement as we strive to build South Carolina into a top-25 program in the future.”

The Gamecocks play all five league members who made the national tourney on the road, including two on the first weekend of November when they travel to Missouri on Friday night and Tennessee on Sunday. South Carolina opens SEC play on Friday, Sept. 14 against Georgia, with defending SEC Western Division champion LSU closing out the weekend on Sunday, Sept. 16. The Gamecocks close the schedule at home as well, hosting Arkansas on Friday, Nov. 23.

The league stayed with a 20-match schedule and eliminated the Wednesday night matches from its regular schedule. All times and the selected television dates under the league’s contract will be announced later, as well as the Gamecocks’ non-conference schedule.

The Gamecocks’ full conference schedule is listed below.

2012 South Carolina Volleyball Schedule
(Southeastern Conference matches only)

Fri., Sept. 14 – Georgia*
Sun., Sept. 16 – LSU*
Fri., Sept. 21 – at Auburn*
Sun., Sept. 23 – at Tennessee*
Fri., Sept. 28 – Florida*
Sun., Sept. 30 – Mississippi*
Fri., Oct. 5 – at Texas A&M*
Sun., Oct. 7 – at LSU*
Fri., Oct. 12 – Alabama*
Fri., Oct. 19 – at Mississippi State*
Sun., Oct. 21 – at Mississippi*
Fri., Oct. 26 – Auburn*
Sun., Oct. 28 – Texas A&M
Fri., Nov. 2 – at Missouri*
Sun., Nov. 4 – at Kentucky*
Fri., Nov. 9 – Mississippi State*
Sun., Nov. 11 – Tennessee*
Fri., Nov. 16 – at Alabama*
Sun., Nov. 18 – at Florida*
Fri., Nov. 23 – Arkansas*