April 16, 2009

River Forest, IL - The Dominican University Department of Athletics released the 2009 volleyball schedule and the Stars will open the season against NAIA Judson College at home. The match is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. in Dominican's Igini Sports Forum.

The Stars continue play in the Star Classic on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5, hosted by Dominican University. The tournament features the Stars along with Bluffton College (OH), Coe College (IA), Clarke College (IA) and Hamline University (MN). The Stars then travel to Los Angeles, Calif., for a tournament at California Lutheran University the weekend of September 11 and 12 before opening play in the Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) at MSOE on Tuesday, September 15.

After a hosting Alverno College on September 17, the Stars travel to DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., for a tournament on September 18 and 19. The Stars then open a string of seven straight NAC contests, including a match against last year's NAC Champion Lakeland College on October 9, with a match at Rockford College on September 23. Also included in the string of conference contests are matches with local rivals Benedictine University, Aurora University and Concordia University Chicago.

After a tournament at Elmhurst College on the weekend of October 16 and 17, and a non-conference tilt against University of Chicago, the Stars close out the 2009 regular season with four straight NAC matches including the final regular season home contest on October 28 against Wisconsin Lutheran College. If the Stars can finish in the top six in the NAC, the season will continue with the NAC Tournament running on November 3, 5 and 7.

The Stars are hoping to build off a 16-15 overall record and 7-5, fifth place finish in the NAC last season. The Stars return all but one letterwinner from last year's roster, including setter Kimberly Wakeman (Indianapolis, IN) who was named the NAC's Freshman of the Year last season.