Silver City, NM – Western New Mexico University's volleyball team has announced its slate of opponents for the 2021 Fall season, following its Spring 2021 campaign.
The Mustangs will be back in action on Sept. 2, with its regular-season schedule running through Nov. 13th ahead of the Lone Star Conference Volleyball Tournament, beginning Nov. 18.
"We are very excited to have a full season," said Head Coach Holly Watts. "We have the opportunity to play against some great opponents before our conference schedule, including two tournaments. We open up the year with a tournament at Cal Poly-Pomona and a tournament to conclude preseason at Central Oklahoma."
WNMU begins their highly competitive schedule on Thursday, Sept. 2 with a trip to Pomona, California, playing in a tournament, guaranteeing the Mustangs four matches in three days. WNMU will face Cal Poly-Pomona Sept. 2 at 8:00PM, two matches on Sept. 3 against Concordia University-Irvine at 2:00PM, and Cal State-Dominguez Hills at 5:00PM. On Sept. 4, the Mustangs will finish up against Western Oregon at 11:00AM.
Just five days later, the Mustangs will be in Edmond, Oklahoma, concluding their preseason playing in a high-level, four matches in three days tournament from Sept. 9-11. The teams and times are TBA.
The conference schedule then gets underway for the Mustangs on Saturday, Sept. 18 when WNMU travels to Odessa, Texas, to play UT Permian Basin. Staying on the road the following weekend, WNMU faces Eastern New Mexico University, Friday, Sept. 24 and on Saturday, Sept. 25, the Mustangs will play against West Texas. Playing one their last non-conference matchup of the year, WNMU heads to Las Vegas, NM, playing against in-state rival New Mexico-Highlands, Monday, Sept. 27th at 7:00PM.
"As Conference play begins on the road for the first couple of weeks, we'll have a chance to see how we have put it all together by the time we are home at the end of September," said Watts.
Hosting their first home matches of the year at Drag's Court on Sept. 30 the Mustangs welcome St. Mary's at 6:00PM and Saturday, Oct. 2, WNMU plays St. Edward's at 12:00PM. All home conference games will be played on Thursdays and Saturdays.
WNMU will play 6 more road matches. All road match series will be played on Fridays and Saturdays. Headed to the Midwest, WNMU matches up against Arkansas-Fort Smith on Oct. 8, and Oklahoma Christian on Oct. 9. On Oct. 22, the Mustangs will face up against TAMU-Kingsville and on, Oct. 23, WNMU goes to Laredo, playing against Texas A&M-International. The last two road matches are in Dallas, as the Mustangs go up against Dallas Baptist on Nov. 5 and Texas Women's, Nov. 6.
The Mustangs play 6 more home matches as well. On Oct. 14, Cameron comes to Silver City for a 6:00PM start, and on Oct. 16 Midwestern State takes on the Mustangs at 12:00PM. Lubbock Christian will come to town on Oct. 28 for a 6:00PM game time, and on Oct. 30, Angelo State is welcomed in for a 12:00PM game time. Finishing up the season at home, the Mustangs will play UT Tyler at 6:00PM Nov. 11 and TAMU-Commerce Nov. 13 at 12:00PM.
"We had an incredible year of recruiting and are bringing in quality as well as quantity, said Watts. "Adding a big class for the coming year, we'll have depth in every position and they'll be ready to compete from day one."
The Lone Star Conference Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 18-20. The top 12 teams will make the tournament.
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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter & Instagram)
