Conway, Ark. -

University of Central Arkansas volleyball head coach David McFatrich has released his squad's schedule for the upcoming 2013 season.

The Sugar Bears will play a total of 16 matches at home in the Prince Center this year. UCA's home schedule will consist of hosting a tournament on the 2nd weekend of the season, nine conference games, one non-conference match against La Tech and the annual Alumni game and Purple/Gray scrimmage. "We have put together the most difficult schedule in our program's history, and our players and staff are looking forward to the challenge," said McFatrich.

UCA kicks off its 2013 campaign when it visits PAC-12 member Arizona in a tournament format beginning August 30th.  The Sugar Bears' first match will be against ninth-ranked Kansas, followed by a match against #43 Arizona.  The final match in Tucson will be against Morgan St.  Off the big-name opponents, McFatrich said, "We better be prepared as we go against one of the top-ranked teams in the nation right off the bat, then follow that up against host Arizona, who had a great season last year including a big win over UCLA."

The Sugar Bears return home the open their home schedule during the first weekend of September, hosting UT-Pan American, Jackson State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and the University of Louisiana-Monroe.  "It is imperative that we host at least one tournament every year and we're able to do that again this year," said McFatrich. "The Prince Center, in my opinion, is one of the best places in the nation to play college volleyball and our players love it.  We always get so much help from our crowd." 

A trip to Ft. Meyers Florida September 13 will be the last tournament that Central Arkansas participates in before beginning conference play.  The Sugar Bears' first match is against Florida Gulf Coast, the 2012 Atlantic Sun conference champion and a top-75 program. The following day, Central Arkansas will square off against #2 Penn State, owners of four of the past six national championships, before wrapping up with a match against #34 Marquette. McFatrich is excited about the opportunity to play one of the top teams in the nation, saying,  "Penn State is simply one of the best, if not the best, college volleyball program ever, so we consider this an historic time for our Sugar Bear volleyball program.  Marquette is also a great volleyball team, and we will need to be at our best at this tournament before heading into conference play."

UCA begins the Southland Conference portion of its schedule at home against new conference opponent Abilene Christian on Thursday September 19 at 7 p.m.  The next night, Friday September 20^th at 7 pm, the Sugar Bears will face non-conference opponent La Tech, and then host another new Southland opponent, Incarnate Word, on Saturday, September 21^st at 2 pm. "At first glance it might seem like too much to play matches on three consecutive days, but our crowd gives us extra mojo so I think it's something we should be able to handle," said McFatrich, explaining the Sugar Bears' busy week.

The toughest portion of the Southland Conference season is a five game stretch on the road beginning October 29^th at Stephen F. Austin, followed by matches at Lamar  on October 31^st, at Sam Houston State on November 2^nd, at Oral Roberts on November 9^th, and ending at Northwestern State on November 12^th.  "That's the schedule we were given and we'll deal with it one match at a time," said McFatrich. "Every team has a little adversity they must go through each year."
 
The 2013 Southland Conference Tournament will take place in Corpus Christi, Texas during the weekend of November 22-24 where an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament will be up for grabs.