SAN MARCOS, Calif.—After fifteen straight matches away from home to start the season, the Cal State San Marcos volleyball team will get its first chances to shine in front of the Cougar faithful Monday and Tuesday as they host Hope International and defending national champion Concordia (Calif.). Both matches will be played at Escondido High School at 7:00 p.m, and admission is free for all fans in attendance.

As if that wasn't enough, the Cougars will also go on to participate in the Vanguard Tournament later in the week, playing twice each Friday and Saturday in Costa Mesa.

THE SCHEDULE
Match 16
Monday, September 9 – 7:00 p.m.
Hope International (3-6) at No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (11-4)
Escondido, Calif. – Escondido HS Gym
Live Video
Live Stats

Match 17
Tuesday, September 10 – 7:00 p.m.
No. 1 Concordia (7-0) at No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (11-4)
Escondido, Calif. – Escondido HS Gym
Live Video
Live Stats

Matches 18 & 19
Friday, September 13 – 1:00 p.m.
No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (11-4) vs. Hope International (3-6)
Friday, September 13 – 5:00 p.m.
No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (11-4) vs. No. 4 Biola (7-0)
Costa Mesa, Calif.— The Pit
Live Video

Matches 20 & 21
Saturday, September 14 – 3:00 p.m.
No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (11-4) at. Vanguard (7-2)
Saturday, September 14 – 7:00 p.m.
No. 20 Cal State San Marcos (11-4) vs. La Sierra (5-1)
Costa Mesa, Calif.— The Pit
Live Video

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL ON FACEBOOK
Connect with the Cougars on Facebook today! Click here for behind-the-scenes photos, videos, commentary and updates from the team all season.

COUGAR VOLLEYBALL POSTERS
Make sure to arrive to Monday's and Tuesday's game early. Posters will be distributed to the first 100 fans of Monday's match vs. HIU. On Tuesday, the first 100 fans will receive free schedule magnets. Don't miss out on your chance for some Cougar promos!

WEEK PREVIEW
The Cougars will face Hope International twice this week, including Monday in their much anticipated home opener. The Cougars have defeated the Royals in straight sets twice over the last two years, including a match last year in which Taylor DeGraaf exploded for 16 kills and no errors in 26 attempts— a .615 hitting percentage.

Tuesday's matchup might just be their toughest match in school history. The Cougars defeated No. 1 Fresno Pacific in the program's debut season two years ago, but Concordia isn't just any No. 1. The Eagles are the defending national champions and have won 45 straight matches dating back to 2011. In all, Concordia has won 71 of its last 72 competitions with the only loss taking place in the NAIA National Championship match two years ago.

Facing No. 4 Biola won't be much easier. The similarly named Eagles are 7-0 thus far in 2013, and went 31-5 last year with three of those losses coming to Concordia— including a postseason defeat in the NAIA National semifinal.

The Cougars will also face tournament host Vanguard on Saturday, who CSUSM knocked out in the first round of the NAIA National Championships last season to advance to pool play. The Lions are 7-2 on the season, and receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll.

CSUSM is familiar with La Sierra, having gone 5-2 against them as former rivals in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.). The Golden Eagles, who are now members of the Cal Pac Conference, fell to CSUSM in the finals of the 2011 A.I.I. Championship in four sets. La Sierra is 5-1 thus far in 2013, including a four-set win over Hope International on Wednesday.

CSUSM ATHLETICS
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