Volleyball MEAC Media Relations

MEAC Volleyball Set for Labor Day Weekend

The 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball season gets underway Labor Day weekend with a flurry of exciting non-conference tournaments featuring 11 of the 12 MEAC programs. 

 

The defending champion Florida A&M Lady Rattlers will begin their season at the Florida State Invitational starting at 6 p.m.  They will also face Bowling Green and Stetson during the two-day event.  The Lady Rattlers recorded an 18-8 overall record and 8-0 mark in MEAC play last year.  The seven-time MEAC tournament champion was predicted to finish first in the southern division by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

 

Maryland Eastern Shore, the MEAC northern division’s preseason favorite, starts the season at the Virginia Tech Hokie Invite beginning at 7 p.m.  They will also face Coastal Carolina and MEAC rival Winston-Salem State in non-conference action on Saturday, August 30.  The Lady Hawks finished 24-4 a year ago and posted a 10-0 record against MEAC competitors. 

 

Bethune-Cookman (Florida Atlantic Tournament), Howard (East Carolina Tournament), Morgan State (Quinnipiac Bobcat Invitational), Norfolk State (Wake Forest Invite) and North Carolina A&T (UNC Wilmington Invitational) will all begin their seasons on the road during the league’s opening weekend. 

 

The Hampton Lady Pirates are the only MEAC team to host a tournament during the first week.  The Lady Pirates will welcome MEAC opponents Delaware State and South Carolina State along with non-conference foes Canisius, Fairleigh Dickinson, Providence, South Dakota and Wofford in the second annual Tiny Laster Memorial Tournament held at the Boo Williams Complex in Hampton (VA). 

 

The Coppin State Lady Eagles open their season on the road against Lafayette in Easton, Pa., on September 3.

 

Conference play begins October 3 as the northern and southern teams compete against one another.  The 2008 MEAC Volleyball championship will tip off November 14-16 in Holland Hall at Hampton. 

 

For a complete 2008 schedule and up-to-date information on MEAC Volleyball, log on to www.MEACsports.com.