The 2010 MEAC volleyball season begins this weekend with all 13 MEAC programs competing in non-conference matches.   

The defending MEAC champion Florida A&M Lady Rattlers will begin their season hosting Florida International on Friday, August 27. The Lady Rattlers were picked as the preseason favorite in the southern division. Last year, Florida A&M posted an undefeated conference mark (8-0) and a 17-10 overall record.

Maryland Eastern Shore starts their season on Friday at Hampton's Tiny Laster Memorial Tournament. The northern division preseason favorite will also face Towson, Wofford, South Carolina State and Bryant during the two day event.  UMES recorded an unblemished 10-0 conference mark for the third straight year in 2009 and were 24-7 overall.

In addition to Hampton, Norfolk State, North Carolina Central and Savannah State will also host tournaments to start the 2010 season.    

Additional season openers include: Bethune-Cookman (Florida Gulf Coast Tournament), Coppin State (Western Carolina Tournament), Delaware State (North Carolina Central Tournament), Howard (West Virginia Classic), Morgan State (Robert Morris/Duquesne Tournament) and North Carolina A&T (Hofstra Tournament).

Conference play begins on October 4 with the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers traveling to Norfolk, Virginia to take on the Norfolk State Spartans.

The 2010 MEAC Volleyball Championship will be held November 19-21 on the campus of Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md.

For a complete 2010 schedule and up-to-date information on MEAC Volleyball, log on to www.MEACsports.com.