DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University volleyball team announced its 2019 schedule on Monday. The Huskies will host 12 matches at Victor E. Court, starting with the NIU Invitational to open the season August 30-31.
 
"Every season we look to build a non-conference schedule that allows our team to build and prepare for our Mid-American Conference season," said head coach Ray Gooden who is entering his 18^th season at NIU. "We have a nice balance of teams that will show us many styles of play. We're fortunate to continue the tradition of hosting an early season tournament as well as opponents that fit our personnel."
 
NIU opens the season August 30-31 with the NIU Invitational at Victor E. Court, taking on Fairleigh Dickinson, UC Riverside and SIU Edwardsville. The Huskies will take on FDU at noon on Aug. 30 in the first-ever meeting with the Knights. NIU will take on SIU Edwardsville later that night at 7 p.m. before closing the tournament on the 31^st at 1 p.m. with its first meeting against UC Riverside.
 
Following a midweek match at Chicago State on Sept. 3, the Huskies take on a stacked field at the Dayton Invitational Sept. 6-7. The host Flyers, along with Michigan and Missouri, all reached the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Missouri advanced to the second round as Michigan made it to the Sweet Sixteen. NIU returns home on Sept. 9 to take on Texas Tech at noon at Victor E. Court. It will be the first meeting between the Huskies and Red Raiders since 1998 and the third all-time meeting.
 
NIU heads to Texas for the first time in 2011 to play in the Incarnate Word Tournament Sept. 13-14 in San Antonio. The Huskies will take on the host Cardinals and Niagara for the first time in program history on the 13^th and wrap up the weekend against Delaware on the 14^th. NIU wraps up its non-conference schedule with a match at Milwaukee on Sept. 17 and two matches at Bradley's tournament Sept. 20-21 against the host Braves and defending Summit League champions South Dakota.
 
Mid-American Conference play begins at home for NIU as Central Michigan and defending MAC Tournament champions Eastern Michigan come to Victor E. Court Sept. 27 and 28 respectively. The Huskies then go on the road for three straight matches against west division foes Ball State Oct. 4, Toledo on Oct. 5, and Western Michigan on Oct. 10. NIU comes home to face Miami on Oct. 12 but goes back on the road the following weekend take on Akron and Buffalo Oct. 18 and 19.
 
The Huskies close the month of October with a home weekend against Kent State and Ohio October 25 and 26. NIU opens November with a weekend trip to Eastern Michigan Nov. 1 and Central Michigan Nov. 2. A three-match homestand begins Nov. 8 against Toledo, with NIU hosting Ball State on Nov. 9 and Western Michigan on Nov. 14 to close the home portion of the schedule. NIU wraps up the regular season at Bowling Green on Nov. 16. The Falcons will host the MAC Volleyball Championship Nov. 21-24.
 
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2019 NIU Volleyball campaign. An individual season ticket for the upcoming season costs $35. The Huskie Pack Family Plan (four tickets for $95) is also available. Order your season tickets online, or by phone by calling the Huskie Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
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