The 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball season begins this weekend with all 12 MEAC programs in non-conference action.
The eight-time defending champion Florida A&M Lady Rattlers will begin their season at the Florida State Invitational on Friday August 28. They will also face North Dakota State and Central Michigan during the two-day event. The Lady Rattlers, who were picked as the preseason favorite in the southern division, posted a 7-1 conference mark and a 14-13 overall record in 2008 en route to the MEAC title and 10th NCAA appearance.
Maryland Eastern Shore, the northern division's preseason favorite, starts the season on Friday at the William & Mary Tribe Invite. The Lady Hawks will also face Ohio State, Rider and MEAC rival North Carolina A&T. UMES recorded an unblemished 10-0 conference mark for the second straight year and a 25-9 overall record in 2008.
Bethune-Cookman (UCF Fall Classic), Coppin State (vs. Colgate), Delaware State (Sam Houston Tournament), Howard (Duquesne/RMU Invite), Norfolk State (UTEP Sun Bowl Invitational), Morgan State (N.C. State Tournament), and South Carolina State (N.C. Central Tournament) will all begin their seasons on the road during the conference's opening weekend.
The Hampton Lady Pirates will the third annual Tiny Laster Memorial Tournament during opening weekend. The Lady Pirates will welcome Winston-Salem State on Friday and face non-conference foe Navy on Saturday.
Conference play begins on October 5 with the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers heading to Orangeburg, S.C. to take on the South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs.
The 2009 MEAC Volleyball Championship will be held November 20-22 in Baltimore, Md.