SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos volleyball team hosts the third Annual Cougar Classic on August 23-25 in The Sports Center. During the opening weekend, the Cougars will host No. 6 nationally-ranked Lewis, No. 8 nationally-ranked Nebraska Kearney, Indiana (Pa.), Cal State Dominguez Hills and Point Loma. After going undefeated in preseason, both domestically and internationally, the Cougars look to keep the momentum going to start the fall season.
2018 Cougar Classic @ The Sports Center (Food and drinks are now permitted in The Sports Center)
Official Tournament Page
Live Stats | Cougar Sports Network
Thursday, Aug. 23
CSUSM vs. Point Loma – 11 a.m.
Point Loma vs. No. 6 Lewis – 4 p.m.
CSUSM vs. Indiana (Pa.) – 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 24
Point Loma vs. No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney, 11 a.m.
No. 6 Lewis vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills, 1 p.m.
No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney vs. Indiana (Pa.), 4 p.m.
CSUSM vs. No. 6 Lewis, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 25
Cal State Dominguez Hills vs. No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney – 9 a.m.
Indiana (Pa.) vs. No. 6 Lewis – 11 a.m.
Indiana (Pa.) vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills – 4 p.m.
CSUSM vs. No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney – 6 p.m.
MEET THE COUGARS
THE OPPONENTS
- In the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll (Aug. 9), Lewis received a No. 6 national ranking while Nebraska-Kearney enters the season nationally-ranked No. 8.
- It will be CSUSM's first meetings with No. 6 Lewis (Ill.), No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney and Indiana (Pa.) for in program history. All three out-of-state teams competed in the NCAA Tournament in 2017 with Lewis making it to the third round.
- In their last meeting in 2016, the Cougars won a five-set thriller over the Point Loma Sea Lions on the road.
- Fellow California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opponent Cal State Dominguez Hills will compete in the Cougar Classic but the Cougars will not compete against the Toros until Sept. 25 in The Sports Center.
PRESEASON ACTION
- Domestic: The Cougars defeated fellow California neighbors Azusa Pacific, Biola, MiraCosta and Grossmont as well as CETYS from Mexico
- Internationally, CSUSM volleyball embarked on their first European tour in program history in July, traveling all over Italy. The team made history and went undefeated against international competition. For more information on their trip, click here.
THE LEONARD FILE
- Head coach Andrea Leonard enters her eighth season in charge of the Cougar volleyball team, a program she has built from the ground up since arriving on campus in 2010.
- Leonard was CSUSM's first-ever CCAA Coach of the Year after guiding the Cougars to a third place finish in the overall standings last season.
2018 CCAA PRESEASON POLL
- The CCAA released their preseason poll today and CSUSM volleyball is predicted to finish fourth in the south division for 2018 (release here).
- Cal State San Bernardino is favored to repeat as CCAA volleyball champions after putting together a stellar season capped by a NCAA West Region title. The Cougars defeated CSUSB last season in five sets in The Sports Center on Oct. 13 (release here).
TICKET/PARKING INFORMATION
- All Cougar Classic tickets can be purchased at The Sports Center ticket window.
- Tournament pass is $25 and single day ticket is $15.
- Special group rate for 10 or more: $2 per person at the door
- Parking is located diagonally across from The Sports Center in the parking garage at a cost of $10/day. Virtual parking permits may be purchased by calling 1-866-234-7275 or at the kiosk in Lot N, next to the Parking Structure 1
