SIUE volleyball faces challenging road with Division I schedule
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Sports
SIUE Head Coach Todd Gober's volleyball squad will be tested immediately in Division I action, as the team is set for a full slate of competition in their first year of reclassification at college athletics' highest level.
"It was a very challenging year scheduling, and we had incredible cooperation with almost everyone we talked to," Gober said. "It was unexpected and a nice surprise."
The Cougars will play 24 D-I matches this season, with six taking place at the Vadalabene Center.
SIUE opens play Friday in Clarksville, Tenn., against future Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay State University.
Gober said he and his players chose to take on a challenging schedule this year to get an idea of the competition and athleticism featured in D-I.
"We are trying to give some of our younger players an idea of what to play for, as they will have seen the top 50, seen some NCAA tournament teams and know what it takes to be on that caliber," Gober said.
Two schools on the schedule, Missouri State University and Illinois State University, participated in last year's NCAA Tournament. SIUE will host ISU, who was ranked 41 last season in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) Oct. 18.
"We are bringing in some exciting teams," Gober said. "I am thrilled with our home schedule. Six home games is astounding."
The Cougars will take the floor at the Vadalabene Center for the first time Oct. 11 when they welcome in the Air Force. Other home matches include bouts with OVC opponents the University of Tennessee at Martin, Eastern Illinois University and Eastern Kentucky University.
"I feel like opposing coaches were very cooperative in scheduling us," Gober said. "Some of these teams have athletes from our area on their roster, and it's nice for them to bring some of the kids home."
Senior setter Mallory Clements is looking forward to the upcoming season and feels her team is ready to take on the challenge.
"It's pretty exciting considering the teams we will be competing against are the schools you see on ESPN and always hear things about." Clements said. "We may not have the height some of our opponents have, but we have the determination and heart to get the job done."
Gober said while his team is taking a challenging road, they are being realistic with their expectations.
"We are not going in expecting to win every match we play," Gober said. "The goal is to compete every night and have the opposing team say we are Division I caliber. I want us to feel like we belong."
Despite being new to the OVC, Gober feels his team has the ability to turn a few heads.
"We are really looking at being competitive," Gober said. "I really think we are going to surprise some people."
On the road, SIUE will play regional rivals Missouri, Illinois and Saint Louis University.
"We are playing some very good opponents, and it's exciting to go down to places like Mizzou and play on their floor and play some of these top 100 RPI teams," Gober said. "We feel we are up for the test."
"It was a very challenging year scheduling, and we had incredible cooperation with almost everyone we talked to," Gober said. "It was unexpected and a nice surprise."
The Cougars will play 24 D-I matches this season, with six taking place at the Vadalabene Center.
SIUE opens play Friday in Clarksville, Tenn., against future Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay State University.
Gober said he and his players chose to take on a challenging schedule this year to get an idea of the competition and athleticism featured in D-I.
"We are trying to give some of our younger players an idea of what to play for, as they will have seen the top 50, seen some NCAA tournament teams and know what it takes to be on that caliber," Gober said.
Two schools on the schedule, Missouri State University and Illinois State University, participated in last year's NCAA Tournament. SIUE will host ISU, who was ranked 41 last season in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) Oct. 18.
"We are bringing in some exciting teams," Gober said. "I am thrilled with our home schedule. Six home games is astounding."
The Cougars will take the floor at the Vadalabene Center for the first time Oct. 11 when they welcome in the Air Force. Other home matches include bouts with OVC opponents the University of Tennessee at Martin, Eastern Illinois University and Eastern Kentucky University.
"I feel like opposing coaches were very cooperative in scheduling us," Gober said. "Some of these teams have athletes from our area on their roster, and it's nice for them to bring some of the kids home."
Senior setter Mallory Clements is looking forward to the upcoming season and feels her team is ready to take on the challenge.
"It's pretty exciting considering the teams we will be competing against are the schools you see on ESPN and always hear things about." Clements said. "We may not have the height some of our opponents have, but we have the determination and heart to get the job done."
Gober said while his team is taking a challenging road, they are being realistic with their expectations.
"We are not going in expecting to win every match we play," Gober said. "The goal is to compete every night and have the opposing team say we are Division I caliber. I want us to feel like we belong."
Despite being new to the OVC, Gober feels his team has the ability to turn a few heads.
"We are really looking at being competitive," Gober said. "I really think we are going to surprise some people."
On the road, SIUE will play regional rivals Missouri, Illinois and Saint Louis University.
"We are playing some very good opponents, and it's exciting to go down to places like Mizzou and play on their floor and play some of these top 100 RPI teams," Gober said. "We feel we are up for the test."
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