UMBC

Emily Berman is one of five returning starters in 2005.

The 2005 UMBC Volleyball schedule was released today as the Retrievers aim for their first America East Conference Tournament berth.  UMBC will be under the direction of new Head Coach Ian Blanchard as the Retrievers head into their third year of America East competition.  Also available online is the Retrievers’ 2005 Prospectus found in the information center of the Retrievers’ Volleyball homepage.

UMBC will host 12 home matches this year, including the one-day UMBC Tournament that will feature the Retrievers, LaSalle and St. Peter’s.  The Retrievers other home non-conference schedule includes Big East opponent Villanova, local foes Towson and Morgan State and George Washington. 

The Retrievers travel to two tournaments, playing at George Mason and Rutgers.  Big name opponents in those two tournaments included TCU, Cal Poly and Rutgers.  The Retrievers will hit the road to take on Delaware, Coppin State and Loyola (Md.) in mid-week contests.

UMBC opens conference play with two home games in 2005 as opposed to five-consecutive road games that the 2004 season featured.  UMBC hosts Binghamton and Maine before traveling to Hartford in their first road conference game. 

UMBC concludes the season with Binghamton on the road as three of their final four games are road contests.

UMBC will face each America East Conference opponent twice as the top-four seeds at the end of the regular season will reach the conference tournament with the top seed hosting.