GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of North Dakota volleyball program released its 2019 schedule on Thursday, a slate that features 11 home matches and opens with the UND Classic at The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center Sept. 19.

The 2019 Fighting Hawks and recently minted Head Coach Jeremiah Tiffin will debut Aug. 30 at the University of New Orleans, their first of three straight weekends on the road. UND will also play in tournaments at Bryant and Campbell. All told, North Dakota will play 12 matches in those three-weekends, including matches at Brown, Mississippi Valley State and North Carolina Central on the back end of the tournaments.

"This schedule allows us to see where we are as a team early in the season. Starting on the road for three-consecutive weekends is tough, but it will make us mentally stronger and prepare us for the challenging Summit League schedule we have," said Tiffin.
 
"With so many new faces and student-athletes performing in different roles, it's important to play as many matches as we can," Tiffin added. "We need game experience to see how we handle pressure and what our best line ups will be. Playing four matches in each of the first three weekends will allow us to accomplish these goals."

North Dakota will get its first chance to prove its mettle at home Sept. 19-21 when it welcomes Akron, Eastern Washington, and Lamar to Grand Forks for the UND Classic. The Fighting Hawks will open the tournament on Sept. 19 against EWU at 7 p.m. and take on Lamar and Akron on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

UND will open its Summit League schedule the following weekend Sept. 27 and 29 at Omaha and South Dakota, respectively, and return home Oct. 4 and 6 to host Western Illinois and Purdue Fort Wayne. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, North Dakota State will travel to the Betty Sioux Engelstad Center for the first meeting of the season between the in-state rivals.

The program will close the regular season Nov. 15 versus Oral Roberts, hosting Senior Night festivities to honor Ashley Brueggeman. The Summit League Tournament will begin the following weekend at the University of Denver Nov. 22-24.

Season tickets are available for purchase online at FightingHawks.com/Tickets or through the Ralph Engelstad Arena Ticket Office for only $50. Call The REA Ticket Office at 701-777-4167 to purchase. Single game tickets will go on sale Aug. 1.

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View the full schedule