On Wednesday afternoon the SEC released its upcoming fall volleyball season schedule, an eight-game, conference-only season that will last a total of six weeks.
Gamecock Volleyball will start its season against regional rivals Georgia in Athens in back-to-back games on Oct. 17 and 18. Four of the last five meetings between Georgia and South Carolina have played the five full sets, the teams each taking two wins home. The additional away games will take place Nov. 6 and 7 in Knoxville against Tennessee.
The home opener in the Carolina Volleyball Center will take place Oct. 28 and 29 against Auburn. The Tigers will be bringing new head coach Brent Crouch with them to Columbia as they look to end South Carolina’s three-game winning streak, which is the longest streak held by the Gamecocks over the Tigers since 2008.
The second home game and last game of the season will be against Florida on Nov. 11 and 12. Out of the seven wins the Gamecocks have over the Gators, four have taken place at home.
The events held at the Carolina Volleyball Center will have a reduced seating capacity that will not allow for general admission.
“Unfortunately, that will come at the expense of what makes Carolina Volleyball Center great - the atmosphere from our fans and the Carolina Volleyball Band,” Gamecock volleyball head coach Tom Mendoza said in a statement. “There’s no question we’re going to miss the energy from our fans, but it was a sacrifice that had to be made.”