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The defending ConfCarolinas champions will open its season against one of the likely preseason favorites to win the EIVA.
Barton unveiled Tuesday its 2021 schedule that begins with a non-conference road match against George Mason on Jan. 30.
The Bulldogs last season were undefeated in the ConfCarolinas and third in the nation with a .353 attack percentage. In addition, it was ranked No.6 in the Off the Block/Frisco Mo Division II National Coaches Poll and receiving votes in the national media poll at the time the 2020 season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic
Barton will be replacing multiple starters from last season’s team but returns outside attacker Adrian Iglesias. Iglesias concluded the 2020 season in the nation’s top 30 with a 3.35 kills per game average on a career-best .319 attack percentage.
The team in the recent ConfCarolinas preseason poll also was picked to finish the upcoming season in second place in the conference.
George Mason overcame multiple injuries to starters to end last season at No. 15 in the national coaches poll and in third place in the EIVA.
All-EIVA middle attacker Jack Reese and All-EIVA outside attacker Sam Greenslade both return for the Patriots. In addition, All-EIVA opposite Hayden Wagner will be back on the court after missing the majority of the 2020 season with an injury.
Wagner in 2019 led the EIVA and was fifth in the nation with a 4.26 kills per game average.
This will be the fourth meeting in the last five years between the Patriots and Bulldogs. George Mason is 4-0 all-time against Barton, including a four-game victory in their most recent meeting in 2019.
Despite not playing each other last season, the Bulldogs traveled to George Mason for a Uvaldo Acosta Invitational. Barton in that non-conference event upset the two-time NCAA champions Loyola.
The season opener at George Mason will be the first of five non-conference matches for the Bulldogs during the upcoming season. Barton also will have home-and-home series with both Limestone and Queens.
Barton 2021 schedule
Jan. 30 at George Mason
Feb. 5 vs. Erskine
Feb. 6 vs. Emmanuel
Feb. 10 vs. Limestone
Feb. 12 at Lees-McRae
Feb. 13 at King
Feb. 17 vs. Queens
Feb. 19 at North Greenville
Feb. 20 at Belmont Abbey
Feb. 23 at Mount Olive
Feb. 26 at Erskine
Feb. 27 at Emmanuel
March 5 vs. King
March 6 vs. Lees-McRae
March 10 at Limestone
March 20 at Queens
March 26 vs. North Greenville
March 27 vs. Belmont Abbey
April 6 vs. Mount Olive