ARLINGTON – The first step toward a hopeful fall athletic season for UT Arlington took shape this week as the Sun Belt Conference revealed its 2020 volleyball schedule.
 
Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, all matches, locations and times are subject to change. Additionally – in an attempt to create as much of a 'bubble-like' atmosphere to protect student-athletes, coaches and staff from UT Arlington and opposing teams – no fans will be permitted at home volleyball matches inside the College Park Center this year.
 
UTA is scheduled to play 16 league matches in a divisional format separated into two- and three-match series over Fridays and Saturdays. The Mavericks are currently set to face four divisional opponents (Arkansas State, Little Rock, ULM and Louisiana) in three-match weekend series, while taking on in-state rival Texas State four times – twice in Arlington and twice in San Marcos.
 
As of now, UTA does not have any non-conference matches scheduled. The Mavs are permitted to contest non-league matches, and if any are added they will be released at a later date.
 
"We are eager to play a conference slate that will be very challenging," said head coach J.T. Wenger.  "Our schedule has changed behind the scenes a few times in the last couple of months, but I am excited that we landed on a safe and competitive solution."
 
Below is the current UTA volleyball schedule for this fall. To see all dates and times, click HERE to view the full docket.
 
Sept. 25-26: Arkansas State – College Park Center
Oct. 2-3: Texas State – San Marcos, Texas
Oct. 9-10: Little Rock – Little Rock, Ark.
Oct. 23-24: ULM – Monroe, La.
Oct. 30-31: Texas State – College Park Center
Nov. 6-7: Louisiana – College Park Center
Nov. 20-22: Sun Belt Conference Championship
 
UTA recognizes the importance of a quality broadcast experience for fans and supporters of the program with no spectators allowed at the CPC this volleyball season. Because of that – for the first time in department history – all home matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+. That is the same platform all home men's and women's basketball games have appeared on the last couple of years; for additional information or to subscribe to ESPN+, visit espnplus.com.
 
"Our top priority is the mental and physical health of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and we feel strongly that our COVID-19 testing and protocols, when followed accordingly, will create an environment where we can support a fall season along with the rest of our Sun Belt members," stated UTA Director of Athletics Jim Baker. "We have involved our student-athletes and their parents throughout this process to ensure they understand the procedures which have been implemented.
 
"I also have relayed to all of our student-athletes that if at any point they do not feel comfortable competing that we will honor our commitment to them – in scholarship, medical, academic and training services," Baker continued. "We are looking forward to the season, but also are proceeding cautiously as we know at any moment adjustments may have to be made."
 
Coach Wenger and his staff bring back 10 letterwinners from the 2019 squad that won 20 matches (20-14 overall) for the first time since finishing with 25 wins in 2015. The Mavs also finished 8-8 in Sun Belt play and earned the No. 7 seed in the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Championships. After falling in the SBC semifinals, UTA earned a postseason berth to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC), advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual tournament runner-up South Dakota.
 
The Mavs, who were picked to finish 2nd in the SBC West Division, welcome seven newcomers (transfer Hannah Boyd and freshmen Kortney Puckett, Brianna Ford, Briana Brown, Simara Peyton, Alyssa Duran, Mollie Blank) for the 2020 season.
 
Announcements regarding the status and schedules of other fall sports will be made in the coming weeks. Additionally, no decision regarding the status of, or attendance policies for, UTA's winter sports – basketball and indoor track and field – have been made at this time.