MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois head volleyball coach April Hall recently announced the Leathernecks' 2012 schedule. Western is slated to take part in three invitationals, 16 Summit League matches, 11 non-conference contests and nine matches combined between Brophy Hall and Western Hall.

Coach Hall discussed the team's competitive schedule, with tough non-conference opponents to go along with a competitive Summit League schedule. 

"We've put together a competitive schedule for our 2012 Fall season," said coach Hall. "We're looking forward to going back to the season opening invite, SIU-Edwardsville's Cougar Classic, in hopes to repeat last season's championship performance. Indiana State's Invitational will be competitive, and we'll have another tough weekend following at the Butler Invitational. Some highlights in these tournaments include the opportunity to play Big Ten conference contender Indiana, as well as new Atlantic 10 conference member Butler. Each conference match in The Summit League will prove to be a battle, but with our new culture of passion, enthusiasm and relentless pursuit of being our best, we are hopeful to come out on top. We look forward to sharing the new face of volleyball with Leatherneck Country."

The Leathernecks open the 2012 season with three invitationals: the Cougar Classic hosted by SIU-Edwardsville (Aug. 25-26), the Jessica Barkman Memorial Classic hosted by Indiana State (Sept. 1-2), and the Butler Invitational (Sept. 7-8).

Western faces Montana State, host SIU-Edwardsville and Santa Clara in the Cougar Classic. The team then faces SIU-Edwardsville, Loyola (Chicago) and host Indiana State in the Jessica Barkman Memorial Classic, and concludes tournament action versus Butler, Indiana and Stephen F. Austin at the Butler Invitational.

The Leathernecks open their home schedule against non-conference opponent Chicago State on September 11. Two more home contests follow, both against Summit League opponents in South Dakota on September 14 and UMKC on September 15.

Coach Hall and the Leathernecks then hit the road for three straight matches, continuing conference play at Oakland (Sept. 17),  North Dakota State (Sept. 21) and South Dakota State (Sept. 22).

To conclude the month of September, Western plays host to Nebraska Omaha on the 28th. The Leathernecks open October at Saint Louis on the 2nd, then jump back into Summit League play with a home match versus IUPUI on October 6.

The Leathernecks hit the road again for three straight conference contests beginning with a match at IPFW on October 8, followed by a trip to Kansas City, Mo. to face the Kangaroos (Oct. 12). They conclude the road swing with a trip north to face the South Dakota Coyotes (Oct. 14).

Western wraps up the 2012 regular season with four of their final seven games at home. The Leathernecks play host to South Dakota State (Oct. 19) and North Dakota State (Oct. 20) before playing its final three road contests. The Leathernecks' final road trip kicks off in Nebraska against the Mavericks of Nebraska Omaha on October 27. After facing IUPUI (Nov. 3) on the road they conclude their home-and-home with Chicago State in Chicago on November 6.

The team plays host to conference foes IPFW (Nov. 9) and Oakland (Nov. 10) to conclude the regular season.

The top four teams from The Summit League will then compete for the 2012 Summit League title and a trip to the NCAA tournament at a location to be determined on November 16-17.