DURHAM – With the 53rd season in program history approaching this fall, head coach Jolene Nagel and the Duke volleyball program announced the 2023 schedule Tuesday.
The 29-match regular-season slate runs from August to November and features matches against eight opponents who participated in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, including NCAA runner-up Louisville and semifinalist Pittsburgh. Duke’s schedule includes two non-conference foes that finished the regular season in the top-30 RPI and three Big Ten opponents – the second-best RPI conference in 2022.
“Our 2023 schedule includes a challenging preseason in preparation for ACC conference play,” Nagel said. “Our first tournament at Purdue will test us right away. Playing Purdue on the road will be a great environment and pay dividends as the season progresses. That tournament is also great for us as we get to play two other quality opponents at a neutral site. We have a good number of returners this year along with graduate students which gives us some good experience.”
The Blue Devils make the short trip to Davidson for an exhibition match Saturday, Aug. 19 before kicking off the regular season at the Purdue Reamer Club Xtra Special Premier. Duke will take on three 2022 NCAA Tournament teams – Creighton, Loyola Chicago and Purdue – Aug. 25-27 before hosting Loyola Maryland for the first home match of the fall on Aug. 31.
Duke has a busy September with 10 contests, including the start of ACC competition. Nagel’s squad welcomes West Virginia and Elon to Cameron Indoor Stadium the first week of September before hitting the road to Michigan for the third installment of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge to take on Michigan State (Sept. 8) and the Wolverines (Sept. 9). Duke closes its non-conference schedule with NC Central, Coastal Carolina and Santa Clara for its final tune-ups before the ACC slate.
“This team is going to welcome the challenges of our preseason and be excited for the opportunities this schedule provides. Playing Michigan and Michigan State on their home courts will help prepare us for what is to come in ACC action on the road.”
With the completion of non-conference action, Duke will turn its attention to the ACC, beginning with Pittsburgh and Virginia at home the weekend of Sept. 22. The Blue Devils’ schedule features a home-and-home series…
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