Fulton, Mo., August 6, 2021 – The Westminster College Blue Jay volleyball team announced its schedule to the world today. After a pandemic delayed and shortened season in 2020, the Blue Jays and new head coach Dalton Tucker are looking for a return to normal this coming Fall. "I am extremely excited for the upcoming season and getting to play a non-conference season again. We return a lot of talent from last seasons roster and are looking to continue building on the success of this past spring." said Tucker. "This years non-conference schedule is very strong and will help prepare us for our conference slate."
The 2020 season saw the Jays go 13-3 overall and 11-2 in the SLIAC as they were crowned 2020 SLIAC Co-Champions tied with Greenville University for the top spot in the conference. The team would also advance to the SLIAC Conference Tournament Championship game. The season was also historic as the Blue Jays were nationally ranked for the first time in program history. They climbed all the way to #10 in the nation in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll on March 4, 2021. That is the highest ranking any SLIAC volleyball team has ever been honored with.
The 2021 season kicks off on September 1st when the Blue Jays will travel to NAIA power Columbia College for a 7:00 p.m. first serve. The Jays will play in front of their home fans for the first time on September 7th when they welcome the Stars of Stephens College to Historic Gym for a 7:00 p.m. home opener. Conference play will begin on September 15th when the Blue Jays will hit the road for a rematch with the Greenville University Panthers, who defeated the Blue Jays in the SLIAC Tournament Championship, in a 7:00 p.m. start. It will be the first of 14 conference games that will decide the 2021 SLIAC Regular Season Champion.
The Blue Jays will play 28 games overall this season. Eight of those games will be held on the hard court of Historic Gym. The team made Historic Gym a house of horrors for opponents last season going a perfect 8-0 at home. Nine games will be held on neutral courts and 11 games will be on the road.
Here are some other key weekends for the Blue Jays in 2021. September 10th and 11th the Blue Jays will travel to Memphis, TN to play in a four-game tournament at Rhodes College. October 13th will see the Jays welcome cross-town neighbor William Woods University to Historic Gym for a 7:00 p.m. showdown. The Blue Jays will celebrate Senior Day on October 29th as they take on the Eureka College Red Devils in a 6:00 p.m. game.
The full 2021 Westminster College volleyball schedule can be found HERE.
