INDIANAPOLIS – With preseason camp set to begin next week, the University of Indianapolis volleyball team released its 2021 schedule on Friday.

"We're really excited for our season this fall… and I would love to stress this fall," commented head coach Jason Reed.  "As always we've loaded up our non-conference matches with some very high level opponents and believe we will have great opportunities to challenge ourselves."

The 2021 season features a full slate of 30 games including 14 at home in the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center.

"We're more than thrilled to open our doors back open to fans, students and family," noted Reed.  "The experience of playing in front of a crowd is an important part of the student athlete experience and we're thankful and optimistic we'll have that opportunity again this fall."

The Hounds open the new campaign with a unique trip to Anchorage, AK to compete in the Seawolf Invitational hosted by University of Alaska Anchorage.  On Sept. 3 UIndy will take on Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage, followed by Central Missouri and Biola on Sept. 4.

"The trip to Alaska is certainly exciting, but beyond the beautiful landscape we look forward to great competition and an opportunity to learn about ourselves," commented Reed."

The 2021 home opener is slated for Friday, Sept. 10 when the Hounds host the UIndy Invitational.  The nine-team three-court tournament takes place on Friday and Saturday, with Saturday's schedule determined by Friday's pool play.

UIndy opens conference play at home, hosting Truman State University on Thursday, Sept. 16.  The Hounds hit the road the next weekends of GLVC play before returning home to take on Lewis on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

"Our GLVC conference is so good from top to bottom.  There aren't any easy matches. We wouldn't want it any other way," said Reed.

After a one-year hiatus the Midwest Region Crossover returns Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16 in Hammond, IN.  The largest event of its kind, the Hounds will have three games against opponents in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLAC) and Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC).  The Crossover schedule will be announced the week prior.

The Hounds close out the regular season with a pair of home contests.  UIndy faces McKendree on Tuesday, Nov. 9 and Illinois Springfield on Friday, Nov. 12.  The 2021 GLVC Championship Tournament will take place Thursday, Nov. 18 thru Sunday, Nov. 21 in East Peoria, IL.