2005 Volleyball Schedule

SEATTLE ­ Chris Johnson's debut as the new head coach of Seattle Pacific University volleyball will come Aug. 26 when the Falcons open the season against West Virginia State at a tournament in Big Rapids, Mich.

Unlike most seasons, SPU will play the majority of its early-season matches at home in Brougham Pavilion. The Falcons will co-host the Emerald City Classic with Seattle University Sept. 2-3, facing Chico State, Nebraska Kearney, Cal State L.A. and Cal Poly Pomona at Brougham Pavilion.

The six-match homestand concludes with bouts against Chaminade and Northwest Nazarene, the latter the Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener Sept. 10. Another four-match homestand follows during the first half of October.

Johnson, who replaced Kellie Ryan as head coach June 27, has four returning starters, including all-GNAC selections Katie Ralph and Jenna Von Moos. SPU, which qualified for NCAA tournament appearances in 2000 and '01, finished 15-11 last year.