May 13, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University volleyball head coach Jon Wallace recently announced the 2004 fall schedule, which includes matches against four teams that finished last season ranked in the top 10 nationally by the AVCA.
After completing the 2003 season with a No. 19 national ranking, and reaching as high as 12th, the Broncos will open at home for the first time in five years, hosting Sacramento State on Wednesday, September 1 at 7 p.m. Santa Clara will follow with the Bronco Invitational, hosting Arkansas and Pacific that weekend. The Broncos will play eight more home matches at the Leavey Center, highlighted by a September 28 match against 12th-ranked Cal.
Santa Clara will travel to non-conference tournaments in Hawaii and Texas, and face national powers Hawaii and UCLA. The Rainbow Wahine advanced to the Final Four last season and closed the year ranked third, while the Bruins reached the Elite Eight and ended December listed fifth.
The West Coast Conference season begins October 1, when the Broncos host Gonzaga. The quest for the 2004 league crown will be challenging, as six of the eight conference schools advanced to the postseason last year, displaying the national strength of the WCC.
Santa Clara will close the conference season with three road games, including visits to the Los Angeles league schools. Sixth-ranked Pepperdine was a Sweet 16 team in 2003 and Loyola Marymount closed the year ranked 17th nationally.
The regular season finale will take place at perennial power Stanford on Tuesday November 23. The Cardinal ended the 2003 season ranked 10th by the AVCA. Santa Clara will then break for Thanksgiving and await the NCAA Selection Show.
The postseason begins the weekend of December 2-4 with first and second rounds held at campus sites. Regionals will be held the following week, December 9-11, in the following cities: Louisville, Ky., Minneapolis, Minn., Seattle, Wash., and Green Bay, Wis. Long Beach State will host the 2004 Final Four at Long Beach Arena December 16 and 18.
Wallace will enter his sixth season with the Bronco program. He has led SCU to five straight NCAA Championship appearances and boasts a .716 career winning percentage. He leads a squad that returns three starters to the court, while welcoming six newcomers to the program.
Please Click Here for the complete 2004 SCU Volleyball Schedule.
