July 2, 2008

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The LMU volleyball team has announced its 2008 schedule and it features matches against five opponents from the 2007 NCAA Tournament field, including two matches against all three WCC-schools from the tournament (Pepperdine, San Diego and Santa Clara), one home tournament, and 15 home contests.

The Lions will open play on the road and out of state, beginning with the University of New Mexico Tournament on Aug. 29. The Lions will square-off against Idaho State, Central Arkansas and the University of New Mexico over the two-day event. The following weekend, LMU will compete in the Middle Tennessee State Tournament. The tourney will feature host and 2007 Sweet-Sixteen participant Middle Tennessee State, 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Lipscomb University, and Appalachian State, in addition to the Lions.

LMU will return home for the first time in 2008 on September 10, taking on Ohio State before hosting the only home tournament of the season on September 12 and 13. The Lions will welcome UC Irvine, San Jose State and Pittsburgh to LMU's Burns Recreational Center.

Following the LMU Tournament, the Lions will remain at home for one more match, clashing with Southern California rival UC Santa Barbara on September 16. Loyola Marymount will once again exit the state that same week for a tournament at the University of Houston in Houston, Tex. from September 19-20. The Lions will face-off with the University of Houston, Arizona, and Stephen F. Austin State.

After their trip to Texas, the Lions will host Cal State Bakersfield on September 26 before finally opening their West Coast Conference schedule on October 2 at 2007 NCAA participant Santa Clara. The crimson and navy will then visit Saint Mary's before returning to Gersten Pavilion for the conference home-opener on October 11 versus cross-town rival and tournament participant Pepperdine.

The final 2007 NCAA Tournament selection from the WCC, USD, will meet the Lions on October 25 in San Diego, Calif. and November 20 in Los Angeles.

The Lions will host a total of 15 home matches, including the tournament, this year. LMU will close West Coast Conference play against USF on November 22 at home before finishing the year with two non-conference showdowns in Gersten against Cal State Fullerton (November 25) and Yale (November 29).

Prior to the start of the regular season, LMU will host an Alumni Match on Saturday, Aug. 23.

The LMU volleyball team ended the 2007-08 season last November with a 16-13 overall record, marking the 18th consecutive winning season under head coach Steve Stratos.