FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern head volleyball coach Jennifer King has announced the schedule for the 2018 season, set to begin on Aug. 24 at the Ashland University Tournament in Ashland, Ohio. The Sharks are slated to play in 30 matches, including 13 inside the Rick Case Arena.
 
The Sharks will face some tough competition in 2018, matching up against two nationally-ranked teams, one receiving votes, and seven teams that advanced to the 2017 NCAA National Tournament.
 
"We are excited for the 2018 campaign," explained King. "Our opening weekend at Ashland University will be tough, but our senior-led team is ready for the challenge. The Shark Invitational will again be a great event and an opportunity for us to showcase our roster to Shark Nation. I am most excited for our Alumni Weekend on Oct. 6th and the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the 2008 South Region Championship Team. All in all, this is going to be a fantastic season for the Sharks!"
 
Starting the season a week earlier than past years, the Sharks will travel to the Ashland University Tournament to compete against Shippensburg, Bellarmine, Malone and host Ashland Aug. 24-25. The next weekend, NSU will continue tournament play as they host the 11th-Annual Shark Invitational during Labor Day Weekend. Nova Southeastern will square off against Missouri S&T, Babson and Texas A&M International over the weekend, while also welcoming fellow Sunshine State Conference member Lynn to compete in the annual affair. 
 
Following the Shark Invitational, the Sharks will kick off SSC play with a home game against Barry on Sept. 7. NSU will then compete in three consecutive road games against Palm Beach Atlantic, Florida Tech and Embry-Riddle before returning home to host Lynn on Sept. 18. That weekend, Nova Southeastern will host Rollins and Tampa in the Rick Case Arena before returning to the road for a pair of games against Saint Leo and national runner-up and SSC Champion Florida Southern on Sept. 28 and 29, respectively.
 
Nova Southeastern will host four of its next five matches, beginning with a mid-week game against Palm Beach Atlantic on Oct. 2. Eckerd will travel to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, Oct. 6, a day the team will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2008 Elite Eight squad, welcoming and celebrating alumnae. A road game at Barry on Oct. 9 will split up the home stand, before the Sharks return home to the Shark Tank to host Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech that weekend.
 
Oct. 19-20 NSU will travel to Orlando to take part in the annual South Region Crossover Tournament, where the Sharks will compete in three matches against members of the Gulf South Conference. Schedule for the tournament will be released the Sunday before (Oct. 14).
 
On Oct. 26, 27 and 30, the squad will remain on the road, playing at Tampa, Rollins and Lynn, respectively, before a pair of games against FSC (Nov. 2) and Saint Leo (Nov. 3) close out the home slate for the Sharks. Nova Southeastern will conclude its 2018 regular season on the road at Eckerd on Nov. 8.
 
The NCAA II postseason starts on Nov. 15 with regional play. If the team finishes the season ranked among the top eight teams in the South Region, or if NSU wins the SSC Regular Season Championship (the SSC does not have a conference tournament for volleyball), they would qualify for the 64-team NCAA II Championship field.
 
For a full version of the 2018 volleyball schedule, CLICK HERE.