Dec. 12, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina sand volleyball coach Moritz Moritz announced the program’s inaugural schedule on Thursday, which includes two home events at the Gamecocks’ new facility.
“We are excited about the schedule that we put together for our inaugural season,” Moritz said. “It is definitely going to be a challenge for our players as they will compete against a lot of high-caliber teams with considerable talent and experience, but they are eager to continue to prepare for and compete against some of the best in the country. We are especially proud of the field for the first event we will host in our new facility, as it will include 2013 AVCA National Championship participants, ULM and UAB as well as LSU and Oregon who I believe are going to make a significant impact on the collegiate volleyball landscape. Every event is going to be a challenge, but we are excited for that test and each opportunity to measure ourselves and improve.”
South Carolina will see two of the six teams that made the 2013 AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Championships in its first event of the season on March 8-9 in Jacksonville, Fla. AVCA Championship participants North Florida, the event host, and Florida State will be at the duals along with Jacksonville and FIU.
The Gamecocks will swing through Atlanta, Ga., after leaving Jacksonville for Georgia State’s event on March 11, which will include the Panthers, FIU and Mercer.
After a nine-day break, South Carolina will host its first of two home events. The Gamecocks are slated to square off with Oregon on Friday, March 21 and ULM, an AVCA Championship participant a year ago, LSU, UAB and Mercer on March 22-23.
Following the weekend at home, South Carolina returns Jacksonville on March 28-29 to compete against host Jacksonville, Florida Atlantic and Stetson.
On April 5-6, the Gamecocks will be in Charleston, S.C., for College of Charleston’s event and will be joined by Florida State and Georgia State.
After playing in the Fiesta on Siesta Key Tournament on April 12-13 in Siesta Key, Fla., South Carolina will head to Tallahassee, Fla., for Florida State’s Pairs Tournament on April 18-19, which will include the Seminoles, Georgia State and ULM.
The Gamecocks will wrap up regular-season play at home on April 22 against College of Charleston.
The sand volleyball season will conclude with the AVCA Championships on May 2-4 in Gulf Shores, Ala.
