INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) formally announced today its volleyball schedule for the 2021 spring season, following a unanimous vote of approval by the GLVC Council of Presidents on Oct. 6. 
 
The schedule, which begins Jan. 29-30, 2021, features a new tri-match/pod format unique to the 2021 season, but necessary to ensure the league's safe return to competition during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Conference's 15 teams will compete in three five-team divisions, and contest 18 matches where every team plays their divisional opponent twice, both home and away, and every non-divisional opponent once at a pre-determined pod site.
 
The East Division consists of Illinois Springfield, UIndy, Lewis, McKendree and Southern Indiana; Lindenwood, Maryville, Missouri-St. Louis, Quincy and Truman State make up the Central Division; and Drury, Missouri S&T, Rockhurst, Southwest Baptist and William Jewell will compete in the West Division.
 
"The tri-match/pod format within this schedule is unique to the spring season and has allowed us to increase the number of competition opportunities for our student-athletes while also addressing the need to address cost-containment measures for our teams," said GLVC Commissioner Jim Naumovich. "Although the results from these matches won't factor into qualifying for the GLVC Volleyball Tournament Championship, they are a nice addition to a truncated season."

The Greyhounds host Illinois Springfield on January 29 to open the schedule.
 
The GLVC Volleyball Championship Tournament will be conducted April 15-17 at Eastside Centre in East Peoria, Illinois. Qualifying procedures for the eight-team tournament will be announced at a later date.