Volleyball Releases 2016 Schedule

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke volleyball head coach Jolene Nagel has announced a challenging schedule for the Blue Devils in the 2016 season.

Duke (17-13, 12-8 ACC) is set to play eight teams that competed in the 2015 NCAA Tournament as well as six squads ranked within the RPI Top 50 to conclude this past season. In addition, 10 of Duke's 23 opponents registered 20 or more wins a season ago.

“Our 2016 schedule is one of opportunity and challenge,” Nagel said. “We will be a relatively young team after graduating five in 2015 and adding five freshmen. Our rising upperclassmen worked really hard this past spring to improve their individual skills, team communication, and chemistry. We look to benefit from their hard work this fall.”

In search of the program's 20th NCAA Tournament bid, the 11-time ACC champion Blue Devils face 2015 NCAA teams in TCU (19-10, 9-7 Big 12), Harvard (15-11, 10-4 Ivy), Loyola Marymount (24-9, 13-5 WCC), UNCW (24-8, 12-4 CAA), North Carolina (21-10, 17-3 ACC), Louisville (25-7, 18-2 ACC), Florida State (25-8, 17-3 ACC) and Miami (21-10, 14-6 ACC).

The Blue Devils open the season at home, welcoming UNCG, Eastern Kentucky and LSU to Cameron Indoor Stadium for the Duke Invitational Aug. 26-27.

“Hosting our first weekend of competition is wonderful for our team, especially our freshmen since they would miss orientation events if we had to travel,” Nagel said. “We look forward to the Duke Invitational as a solid weekend of competition to open the 2016 season.”

Duke then faces four NCAA teams over its next five matches. Duke's five opponents during that stretch – North Carolina, TCU, Harvard, Long Beach State and Loyola Marymount -- posted a combined 104-46 record in 2015. North Carolina, TCU, Harvard and LMU all made the NCAA Tournament, while Loyola Marymount advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second time in school history.

The Blue Devils take the court opposite North Carolina Sept. 1 in a non-conference match before hosting TCU Sept. 2.

“Due to the unbalanced ACC schedule, we only play rival North Carolina once in conference this year,” Nagel added. “This is always a great match and we will play them the second weekend of the season. The UNC match along with our TCU match the same week are two strong RPI matches on our schedule.”

The Blue Devils then travel to California for the third straight year, taking on Harvard (15-11, 10-4 Ivy), Long Beach State (25-6, 13-3 Big West) and Loyola Marymount (24-9, 13-5 WCC) at the LBSU/CSUF Baden Invitational.

“Heading to southern California is a wonderful trip for our team,” Nagel said. “We have four team members from the area and a fifth from northern California. Playing quality competition near some of our families is wonderful and we're excited to have this opportunity. We also have many Duke volleyball alumnae and their families in the area that we'll be able to connect with.”

The Blue Devils conclude their non-conference schedule at home against Campbell (14-17, 6-8 Big South) and UNCW (24-8, 12-4 CAA). The Seahawks made their NCAA Tournament debut this past season after winning the CAA Championship.

Duke opens ACC play in Cameron Sept. 21 versus Wake Forest in a midweek matchup. ACC home contests include games against Pittsburgh (23-9), Virginia Tech (19-13), Virginia (18-13), Clemson (6-26), Georgia Tech (18-14), No. 18 Louisville (25-7), Notre Dame (7-25), No. 19 Florida State (25-8) and Miami (21-10).

The Blue Devils compete in home-and-home series with dates on the road at Virginia, Notre Dame, Louisville, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.

Duke only meets Clemson, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Syracuse, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina and NC State once in conference play. The Blue Devils clash with the Tigers, Yellow Jackets, Seminoles and Hurricanes at home, while traveling to the Eagles, Orange, Tar Heels and Wolfpack.

“The ACC schedule is always challenging,” Nagel added. “Especially with unbalanced schedules and increased travel each weekend.”

The Blue Devils return five starters in 2016, including All-ACC middle blocker Jordan Tucker, All-ACC libero Sasha Karelov, and All-ACC Freshman Team middle blocker Leah Meyer.

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