Courtesy: Howard Athletics
WASHINGTON – Coach Shaun Kupferberg and the Howard University Women’s Volleyball team unveiled its 2018 schedule, including trips to Texas and New Jersey while hosting perennial powerhouses inside Burr Gymnasium. The announcement came Thursday evening.
“We are very excited about our upcoming schedule,” Kupferberg stated. “Our seniors get a chance to travel home with our trips to Texas and New Jersey, that will be great for them and their families. We also get a chance to host three of the top teams in the country in our home gym.”
Wichita State (Aug. 26) and Power Five foes Stanford (Aug. 27) and Penn State (Sept. 14) headline the Bison’s 2018 campaign as all three programs reached the NCAA Tournament.
Wichita State went undefeated in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and has emerged as one of the nation’s elite while the Cardinals and Nittany Lions are women’s volleyball’s bluebloods, each with a record seven national championships. A year ago, Stanford and Penn State advanced to the NCAA Semifinals.
Before meeting the Shockers and Cardinals, Howard opens its new season with crosstown rival George Washington inside The Burr (Aug. 24), followed by a quick trip to Fairfax, Va. for a date against George Mason (Aug. 25).
On Aug. 31-Sept. 1, several Bison return to the Lone Star State for a three-match tourney, hosted by Lamar.
Before taking on the Nittany Lions, Howard goes to Piscataway, N.J. where they will face Rutgers (Sept. 7), Navy (Sept. 7), and Tulane (Sept. 8).
Howard stays in The District for a pair of tough matches against American (Sept. 15) and Buffalo (Sept. 15) at Bender Arena, followed by two home contests versus UMBC (Sept. 18) and North Carolina A&T State (Sept. 23).
On Sept. 25, HU closes out the large portion of the nonconference slate at Loyola (Md.).
“Playing a strong out of conference schedule will help our team get back to the NCAA Tournament,” Kupferberg stated. “We have a good range of matches with quality opponents throughout the first few weeks. These contests are great measuring sticks of how competitive we are and the progress we need to make throughout the year to be ready in December.”
Howard opens league play hosting Morgan State (Sept. 28) and Coppin State (Sept. 30).
HU starts October with a three-match road swing at Delaware State (Oct. 5), Maryland Eastern Shore (Oct. 7), and Norfolk State (Oct. 12).
After meeting Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 21), the Bison finish its road slate against Morgan State (Oct. 26) and Coppin State (Oct. 28).
In November, Howard concludes its regular season with a three-match home stand versus Delaware State (Nov. 2), Maryland Eastern Shore (Nov. 4), and Norfolk State (Nov. 9).
On Nov. 16-18, Howard Athletics hosts the 2018 MEAC Championships inside The Burr where Coach Kupferberg and the Bison seek their fourth straight conference title, 11th overall in program history.
Aug 24 (Fri)7PM vs George Washington
Aug 25 (Sat)5PM at George Mason
Aug 26 (Sun)3PM vs Wichita State
Aug 27 (Mon)7PM vs Stanford
Aug 31 (Fri)10AM vs Texas Southern
Aug 31 (Fri)7PM at Lamar
Sep 1 (Sat)11AM vs Southern
Sep 7 (Fri)10:30AM at Rutgers
Sep 7 (Fri)7PM vs Navy
Sep 8 (Sat)11AM vs Tulane
Sep 14 (Fri)7PM vs Penn State
Sep 15 (Sat)TBA at American
Sep 15 (Sat) vs Buffalo
Sep 18 (Tue) vs UMBC
Sep 23 (Sun) vs North Carolina A&T State
Sep 25 (Tue) at Loyola (Md.)
Sep 28 (Fri) vs Morgan State
Sep 30 (Sun) vs Coppin State
Oct 5 (Fri) at Delaware State
Oct 7 (Sun) at Maryland Eastern Shore
Oct 12 (Fri) at Norfolk State
Oct 21 (Sun) vs Bethune-Cookman
Oct 26 (Fri) at Morgan State
Oct 28 (Sun) at Coppin State
Nov 2 (Fri) vs Delaware State
Nov 4 (Sun) vs Maryland Eastern Shore
Nov 9 (Fri) vs Norfolk State
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