MANHATTAN, Kan. – Returning to a full 28-match slate, including 11 home matches at Bramlage Coliseum, K-State and head coach Suzie Fritz have revealed the 2021 volleyball schedule on Wednesday.
“Due to COVID-19 restrictions last season, we relocated our volleyball matches to Bramlage and realized additional benefits for both our student-athletes and fans,” athletics director Gene Taylor said. “Providing a first-class experience for all of our fans and teams remains a priority, and we feel like playing volleyball matches in Bramlage Coliseum for the next two seasons is the best decision as we transition to the new volleyball facility. Ahearn Field House has long been a part of our volleyball history and always will be, but we are excited about the future as we work toward construction of a first-class new venue.”
“We are looking forward to getting back to a normal schedule this year,” said Fritz, entering her 21st season as head coach. “The Big 12 presents a tough challenge every year, being one of the premier volleyball leagues in the country. But in addition to that, I think our non-conference schedule will really help strengthen our NCAA tournament résumé.
“With so many different scheduling restrictions and protocols in place, last season was particularly difficult to navigate in terms of scheduling opponents. This season, we will face six teams, and five of them away from home, that qualified for a reduced postseason last year. We are excited for the challenge and ready to get back onto the court.”
The Wildcats’ 2021 schedule features postseason qualifiers in Baylor, Missouri, Nebraska, Pepperdine, Texas and Weber State. Texas was a national finalist in last season’s tournament while Nebraska reached the Elite Eight. Baylor advanced to the Sweet 16 and Missouri, Pepperdine and Weber State all reached the Round of 32.
The 2021 season officially begins on Friday, August 27 at the Nebraska Invitational in Lincoln, Nebraska. K-State will face Colgate and Tulsa before ending the two-day tournament against the host Cornhuskers on Saturday, August 28.
The season’s second weekend sees the Wildcats travel west to Santa Barbara, California, for the Gaucho Invitational September 3-4. There, K-State will take on Pepperdine, San Diego State and UC Santa Barbara.
The K-State Invitational begins Thursday, September 9 as the Cats take on Ohio at 7 p.m. Over the three-day event, the Wildcats will also meet Loyola Chicago on Friday, September 10 before finishing the weekend against Fresno State on Saturday, September 11.
After the Cats’ home tournament weekend, K-State makes a Tuesday night stop at Missouri (September 14) before concluding its non-conference slate at the Omaha Invitational (September 17-18). K-State will take on Omaha and Weber State before the Big 12 portion of its schedule.
In an effort to minimize travel, the league schedule will feature a two-match weekend series on consecutive days in a single location for the second straight season, with the host site of the series being reversed from last season’s schedule.
In the conference opener, the Wildcats will welcome Baylor on Friday, September 24, and Saturday September 25. K-State’s home Big 12 schedule will feature West Virginia (October 14-15), Texas Tech (October 28-29) and Kansas (November 26-27). All home conference matches will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The Cats will make trips to Oklahoma (October 1-2), TCU (October 21-22), Iowa State (November 11-13) and Texas (November 19-20) during Big 12 play.
K-State is set to return 10 letterwinners from last year’s squad, including 2020 Big 12 and AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year Aliyah Carter, who led the Wildcats in kills and points. The Cats also retain Teana Adams-Kaonohi, Holly Bonde, Loren Hinkle, Kadye Fernholz, Mackenzie Morris, Jayden Nembhard and Jacque Smith.
K-State ended the 2020 season 13-8 (10-6 Big 12) and in third place in the Big 12 standings, its highest conference finish since the 2008 season.
2021 Season tickets will go on sale Monday, June 21. Details for season ticket options as well as this season’s broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.
2021 K-State Volleyball Schedule
Nebraska Invitational - Lincoln, Neb.
Aug. 27 - Fri - vs. Colgate - 10 a.m.
Aug. 27 - Fri - vs. Tulsa - 5 p.m.
Aug. 28 - Sat - at Nebraska -7 p.m.
Gaucho Invitational - Santa Barbara, Calif.
Sept. 3 - Fri - vs. Pepperdine - 5 p.m.
Sept. 4 - Sat - at UC Santa Barbara - 2 p.m.
Sept. 4 - Sat - vs. San Diego State - 6:30 p.m.
K-State Invitational - BRAMLAGE COLISEUM
Sept. 9 - Thu - OHIO - 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 - Fri - LOYOLA CHICAGO - 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 - Sat - FRESNO STATE - 11 a.m.
Sept. 14 - Tue - at Missouri - 4 p.m.
Omaha Invitational - Omaha, Neb.
Sept. 17 - Fri - vs. Weber State - 1 p.m.
Sept. 18 - Sat - at Omaha - 1 p.m.
Sept. 24 - Fri - BAYLOR* - 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 - Sat - BAYLOR * - 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 - Fri - at Oklahoma* - 6 p.m.
Oct. 2 - Sat - at Oklahoma* - 6 p.m.
Oct. 14 - Thu - WEST VIRGINIA* - 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 - Fri - WEST VIRGINIA* - 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 - Thu - at TCU* - 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 - Fri - at TCU* - 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 28 - Thu - TEXAS TECH* - 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 - Fri - TEXAS TECH* - 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 11 - Thu - at Iowa State* - 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 - Sat - at Iowa State* - 1 p.m.
Nov. 19 - Fri - at Texas* - 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 - Sat - at Texas* - 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 26 - Fri - KANSAS* - 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 27 - Sat - KANSAS* - 6:30 p.m.
*Big 12 match
Home games in Bold
Dates and times subject to change