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The biggest home match for Charleston in its inaugural season will take place during the opening weeks of the upcoming season.
Charleston as part of unveiling its 2015 regular season schedule announced that the first-year program will play a non-conference match against George Mason on Jan. 24.
This will be the first home match in the Golden Eagles’ program history against a NCAA Division I-II team. It also will be Charleston’s only home match versus an opponent that has been ranked in the national coaches poll.
The Golden Eagles under head coach Michael Crane are the first NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball team from West Virginia. In addition, the Division II school in its inaugural season will compete as an independent team.
George Mason finished last season in fourth place in the EIVA and advanced to the conference tournament semifinals. The Patriots return a majority of starters for the upcoming season, including all-conference outside attacker Radoslav Papalov who was among the EIVA leaders with a — kills per game average as a freshman last season.
The home match against George Mason is the first of four matches for Charleston against EIVA opponents. Charleston will also have a home-and-home series against NJIT and a road match against St. Francis.
Along with playing EIVA opponents, Charleston will have nine matches versus teams from the Conference Carolinas and two matches against MIVA schools.
The Golden Eagles are one of the two college men’s volleyball programs making their debut for the 2015 season. North Greenville for the upcoming season will become the 10th member of the Conference Carolinas to add a men’s volleyball team.
North Greenville and Charleston will play in a non-conference match against each other on Jan. 30.