MATCH #1
Binghamton | Friday, August 24 | Woodling Gymnasium | 12:00 p.m.
MATCH #2
Montana State | Friday, August 24 | Woodling Gymnasium | 7:00 p.m.
MATCH #3
Canisius | Saturday, August 25 | Woodling Gymnasium | 1:30 p.m.
LIVE STATS | CSU INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | CLEVELAND STATE MATCH NOTES
QUICK SETS
The Cleveland State volleyball team will open the 2018 season this weekend, as the Vikings are set to host the CSU Invitational, welcoming Binghamton, Canisius and Montana State. This will be the first of two home tournaments for the Vikings this season, and the start of a 12-match non-league slate.Cleveland State will face Binghamton (12:00 p.m.) and Montana State (7:00 p.m.) on Friday, August 24, and will then host Canisius at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 25.
CSU IN SEASON-OPENING TOURNAMENTS
Since the 2000 season when Chuck Voss took over the Cleveland State volleyball program, the Vikings have posted a 36-17 record in season-opening tournaments, including a 22-8 record over the last nine years. Under Voss, the Vikings have captured five tournament titles during the first weekend of action - most recently claiming the Blue Raider Bash crown during the 2015 season after going 3-1 during the opening weekend of play.
VIKINGS TABBED HORIZON LEAGUE PRESEASON FAVORITES
Earlier this week the Vikings were selected to repeat as Horizon League Champions, as they were tabbed the Horizon League Preseason favorite, picking up 69 points and four first place votes in the league's preseason poll. The Vikings are three-time defending Horizon League Champions, and were named the preseason favorite for the third straight season.
…2017 #HLVB BANNER UNVEILING
Prior to the 7:00 p.m. match against Montana State on Friday, August 24 the Vikings will unveil their 2017 #HLVB Regular Season & Tournament Championship banner, along with their NCAA Tournament Appearance banner. The Vikings will welcome back the 2017 senior class for the ceremony - members of three #HLVB Championship teams and the most decorated class in program history.
POSTSEASON HONOREES RETURN
The 2018 Vikings welcome back two Horizon League postseason honorees in Sara Skeens and Emily DeGeorge, while Chuck Voss returns as the reigning #HLVB Coach of the Year. Skeens, a junior outside hitter, earned Honorable Mention All-Horizon League accolades last season after averaging a team-best 3.10 kills per and earning #HLVB Tournament MVP honors. DeGeorge, a sophomore outside hitter, was named to the All-Freshman Team last season after averaging 2.78 digs and 1.74 kills per set. DeGeorge also set a Cleveland State freshman class record with 325 total digs during her rookie campaign.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
During the 2018 campaign, Cleveland State will play 14 of its 28 matches at home, including six non-league contests during a pair of preseason tournaments. The 14 home matches ties the second highest single-season total for home contests and marks the most matches in Woodling Gymnasium since the 2009 season. Over the last three seasons, Cleveland State has had success playing in Woodling Gymnasium, owning a 31-5 record at home.
HEAD COACH CHUCK VOSS
Chuck Voss is entering his 19th season at the helm of the Vikings, and owns a 337-203 (.624) overall record at CSU. Under Voss the Vikings have recorded 15 winning seasons, including nine straight entering the 2018 season. Cleveland State has eclipsed the 20-win mark eight times since Voss took over the program, and has captured Horizon League Tournament titles five times (2007, 2012, 2015, 2016 & 2017) under his guidance. During the 2016 season, Voss became the all-time winningest coach in program history and became the the only active Horizon League coach to reach the 300-win mark at their current school.
A LOOK BACK AT 2017
Last season Cleveland State captured its fifth Horizon League Regular Season and Tournament title, finishing the year with a 22-8 overall record. Cleveland State's 22 wins marked the program's 17th 20-win season, while it also marked the eighth time under Voss that the Vikings have reached the 20-win plateau. After claiming the Horizon League Tournament title, the Vikings earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time over the last 10 seasons, earning a First Round matchup against No. 13 Utah.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will hit the road for the first time during the 2018 season next weekend, traveling north for the Michigan Invitational. Cleveland State will take on Michigan on Friday, August 31 and will then face Harvard and Eastern Michigan on Saturday, September 1.
