Men's Volleyball Set Sights On Third Straight NCAA Bid With Release of 2019 Slate

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (July 20, 2018) -- The Vassar College men's volleyball team and third-year head coach Richard Gary released its 2019 season schedule Friday morning, as the Brewers look to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Brewers open their season January 19 at Ramapo College against both the host Roadrunners and Arcadia University, before opening home action Saturday, January 26 with a home tri-match with Rutgers-Newark and Emmanuel College. The first big test comes on the weekend of February 1-2, as VC heads to Springfield College to take part in the Morgan Classic, taking on New York University Friday evening before playing Saturday in either the championship or consolation match. VC's opens United Volleyball Conference (UVC) action with a big rivalry contest, as the Hawks of New Paltz cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge to battle VC Wednesday, February 6 in Kenyon Hall. Vassar stays at home on February 9 to take on UVC foe Bard College, also hosting Johnson & Wales University the same day. The Brewers follow a trip to MIT on Saturday, February 16 with what should be a thrilling road contest, taking on Kean University in a re-match of the NCAA Quarterfinals this past season. VC hosts The Sage Colleges and Augustana College February 21, and then heads to Massachusetts to take on Springfield College, Elms College and Endicott College on consecutive days. VC is back into UVC play against Stevens March 6, before embarking on an eight-game road swing, playing UVC matches during that span against Nazareth College, Elmira College and St. John Fisher College. The Brewers finally return home April 3 after nearly a month on the road to take on NYU in the final conference match of the season. VC hosts UC-Santa Cruz April 4, before taking on Springfield College and Daemen College for Senior Day April 6. The UVC Tournament runs from April 12-14 at the regular season champion site. "Despite this being a bit of a transition year, with a new setter and losing 2 All-Americans, we went for broke with this schedule," said Gary. "I think it will turn out to be one of the toughest in the country, with over 13 matches against teams that were ranked last year, including four matches against the teams that have won the national championship the last 7 years. We're also looking forward to our trip to Washington DC, where we'll get some great competition along with a chance to explore the city."