Head coaches Mallory McArtor and Shaela Camp have released the 2019 Spartan volleyball schedule. The Spartans begin the season at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Nebraska, Friday and Saturday in a multi-team tournament before defending the home floor against Grand View University's junior varsity team.

The Spartans host three triangular Saturday matches throughout a season littered with elite talent.

"The ICCAC is a perennial powerhouse on the national stage, and I'm sure this year will be no different," said Camp. 

According to the NJCAA preseason rankings, three of the ICCAC teams rank in the top 25 in the nation. The Spartans will host the preseason No. 4-ranked Kirkwood on Oct. 23. 

Southwestern is projected to finish ninth in the conference this season after finishing in a three-way tie for sixth last season. The Spartans look to surprise their conference opponents with a scrappy, never-giving-up style of play.

"I think we will be very competitive every day. We want to have a chance to win every match; to do that we have to outwork them and never give up," said Camp.

Southwestern home matches:

Wednesday, Aug. 28 - vs. Grand View JV, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 7 - Triangular with Central College JV and Graceland JV, 1 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 13 - vs. Central College JV, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 18 - vs. NIACC, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21 - Triangular vs. Marshalltown CC and Grand View JV, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 - vs. DMACC, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 9 - vs. Ellsworth CC, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 23 - vs. Kirkwood CC, 7 p.m.