Lehigh University Athletics
Bertucci announces 2015 volleyball schedule
7/16/2015 1:49:00 PM | Volleyball
2015 Schedule
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh volleyball head coach Bob Bertucci has unveiled the 2015 schedule as the Mountain Hawks aim to make their fifth-straight Patriot League Tournament appearance. The schedule features 13 home matches in Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall including the home-opening Crosstown Invitational Tournament on Sept. 4-5.
The Mountain Hawks will be looking to build upon back-to-back 20-plus win seasons in 2013 and 2014. During the 2014 campaign, Lehigh set a program record for league wins in a single season (14) and made its first championship match appearance since 2002 as Bertucci was crowned Patriot League Coach of the Year.
Lehigh kicks off the 2015 campaign with four weekend tournaments, beginning with a trip to James Madison to face the host Dukes, St. Francis Brooklyn and Northern Arizona, the first of five teams that Lehigh will face that won 20-plus games a season ago, on August 28-29.
"Our non-league schedule is very competitive," said Bertucci. "We'll be going into just about every match with a 50/50 chance. It will be challenging and will prepare us for the Patriot League, but none of the teams are out of reach."
The Mountain Hawks will then make their home debut on Sept. 4-5 when Lehigh welcomes Marist, the 2014 regular-season MAAC champs, Saint Peter's, Fairleigh Dickinson and Morehead State. Lehigh will remain home the following Tuesday Sept. 8 to host in-state foe Villanova.
"It will be nice to play a tournament at home," said Bertucci. "We should do well and it will give us a good chance to play a lot of players. It'll be a great chance to establish a starting lineup and grow as a team."
Lehigh will head to Rhode Island Sept. 11-12 to take on URI, Sacred Heart and Canisius in Rhode Island's Art Carmichael Invite. The Mountain Hawks close out the pre-Patriot League portion of their schedule the following weekend when Lehigh travels to Pittsburgh to face the host Panthers, George Washington and Bowling Green.
"Both the Rhode Island and Pittsburgh tournaments will be great tune-ups before league play begins," said Bertucci. "We'll be playing really strong teams and I expect them all to be competitive and close matches."
Patriot League play will open with a Wednesday night rivalry match against Lafayette Sept. 23 in Leeman-Turner Arena. The Mountain Hawks have won the last 11 meetings against the Leopards.
"Playing Lafayette is always an emotional match," said Bertucci. "Our non-league schedule should help us solidify and build our team dynamic, which will help us when we open league play against our rivals."
Following the match against the Leopards, Lehigh will play four of its next five contests in the friendly confines of Leeman-Turner Arena when the Mountain Hawks host Loyola, Navy, Colgate and two-time defending Patriot League champion American.
A non-league tilt at Fordham on Oct. 13 opens a seven-match road trip that includes trips to Army West Point, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Navy, Loyola and Colgate.
A Halloween afternoon home match against Bucknell will be followed by a trip to American on Nov. 6 before Lehigh returns home to close out the regular season against Holy Cross and Army West Point on Nov. 13-14.
"I think the league is going to be very strong this year and more competitive than it was last year," said Bertucci. "American is still going to be very tough and there were a few young teams last year that I think will come back seasoned and strong this year. It's exciting to see the league continue to get stronger and I expect it to be a tight race."
The Patriot League Tournament, a four-team event played at the site of the highest seed, is slated for Nov. 22-23. The Mountain Hawks are vying for their fifth tournament appearances in as many years under Coach Bertucci.
Like Lehigh volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh volleyball head coach Bob Bertucci has unveiled the 2015 schedule as the Mountain Hawks aim to make their fifth-straight Patriot League Tournament appearance. The schedule features 13 home matches in Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall including the home-opening Crosstown Invitational Tournament on Sept. 4-5.
The Mountain Hawks will be looking to build upon back-to-back 20-plus win seasons in 2013 and 2014. During the 2014 campaign, Lehigh set a program record for league wins in a single season (14) and made its first championship match appearance since 2002 as Bertucci was crowned Patriot League Coach of the Year.
Lehigh kicks off the 2015 campaign with four weekend tournaments, beginning with a trip to James Madison to face the host Dukes, St. Francis Brooklyn and Northern Arizona, the first of five teams that Lehigh will face that won 20-plus games a season ago, on August 28-29.
"Our non-league schedule is very competitive," said Bertucci. "We'll be going into just about every match with a 50/50 chance. It will be challenging and will prepare us for the Patriot League, but none of the teams are out of reach."
The Mountain Hawks will then make their home debut on Sept. 4-5 when Lehigh welcomes Marist, the 2014 regular-season MAAC champs, Saint Peter's, Fairleigh Dickinson and Morehead State. Lehigh will remain home the following Tuesday Sept. 8 to host in-state foe Villanova.
"It will be nice to play a tournament at home," said Bertucci. "We should do well and it will give us a good chance to play a lot of players. It'll be a great chance to establish a starting lineup and grow as a team."
Lehigh will head to Rhode Island Sept. 11-12 to take on URI, Sacred Heart and Canisius in Rhode Island's Art Carmichael Invite. The Mountain Hawks close out the pre-Patriot League portion of their schedule the following weekend when Lehigh travels to Pittsburgh to face the host Panthers, George Washington and Bowling Green.
"Both the Rhode Island and Pittsburgh tournaments will be great tune-ups before league play begins," said Bertucci. "We'll be playing really strong teams and I expect them all to be competitive and close matches."
Patriot League play will open with a Wednesday night rivalry match against Lafayette Sept. 23 in Leeman-Turner Arena. The Mountain Hawks have won the last 11 meetings against the Leopards.
"Playing Lafayette is always an emotional match," said Bertucci. "Our non-league schedule should help us solidify and build our team dynamic, which will help us when we open league play against our rivals."
Following the match against the Leopards, Lehigh will play four of its next five contests in the friendly confines of Leeman-Turner Arena when the Mountain Hawks host Loyola, Navy, Colgate and two-time defending Patriot League champion American.
A non-league tilt at Fordham on Oct. 13 opens a seven-match road trip that includes trips to Army West Point, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Navy, Loyola and Colgate.
A Halloween afternoon home match against Bucknell will be followed by a trip to American on Nov. 6 before Lehigh returns home to close out the regular season against Holy Cross and Army West Point on Nov. 13-14.
"I think the league is going to be very strong this year and more competitive than it was last year," said Bertucci. "American is still going to be very tough and there were a few young teams last year that I think will come back seasoned and strong this year. It's exciting to see the league continue to get stronger and I expect it to be a tight race."
The Patriot League Tournament, a four-team event played at the site of the highest seed, is slated for Nov. 22-23. The Mountain Hawks are vying for their fifth tournament appearances in as many years under Coach Bertucci.
Like Lehigh volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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