South Dakota State Head Volleyball Coach Phil McDaniel announced the Jackrabbit volleyball team's 2012 schedule on Monday.
"I think that the 2012 schedule provides a good test for our veteran squad," McDaniel said. "Opening the season at a tournament with a Big Ten school tests us right out of the gates.
The Jacks open the season on Aug. 24, in Iowa City, Iowa at the Hawkeye Challenge against Southeast Missouri State and Iowa, and then close the tournament with their first of two meetings against Valparaiso on Aug. 25. SDSU also plays the Crusaders in Valparaiso, Ind., on Sept. 26.
The second of three preconference tournaments sends the Jackrabbits to Spokane, Wash, for three matches at the Northwest Challenge, hosted by Gonzaga on Aug. 31-Sept. 1. In addition to the host Bulldogs, the Jacks also face Eastern Washington and UC-Riverside in Spokane.
SDSU closes its tournament circuit with a revival of the Jackrabbit Invitational, which returns to Frost Arena for the first time since the 2007 season, on Sept. 7-8.
"The Northwest Challenge gives us a chance to play a solid trio of teams over the Labor Day weekend," McDaniel added. "And then getting back to hosting an event here in Frost will be a great lead-in to the start of Summit League Play."
The Summit League schedule begins with a road match at conference newcomer Nebraska-Omaha on Sept. 14; with the conference home-opener coming two days later in a Sunday matinee against two-time defending league champion North Dakota State.
The Bison also host The Summit League Championships on Nov. 16-17, in Fargo, N.D.
