The North Carolina volleyball team has announced its schedule for the 2004 season. The Tar Heels will face eight 2003 NCAA Tournament teams including Minnesota on September 18, a final four team from a year ago. Carolina will travel to Boulder, Colo. and Philadelphia Pa. for tournaments and hosts the GlaxoSmithKline Classic at Carmichael Auditorium as well.

"This is probably one of the more challenging schedules that we have ever had both home and away," said UNC head coach Joe Sagula. "The first three weekends we will play 11 matches and nine of those are against potentially ranked opponents."

The Tar Heels start the season by hosting High Point at Carmichael Auditorium on September 1 at 7 p.m. The team will then head to Philadelphia, Pa. for their first tournament of the season at Temple. UNC will face Ohio State, Western Michigan and Temple.

September 10-11, Carolina travels to Boulder, Colo. in a tournament featuring three 2003 NCAA Tournament teams. UNC will face Pitt, Colorado and San Diego at the University of Colorado tournament.

"Every team in that tournament will be tough," said Sagula. "Every single one is a tournament team and San Diego will be very, very good."

The Tar Heels host their own tournament September 17-18 in the GlaxoSmithKline UNC Volleyball Classic at Carmichael. The tournament features Rice, Loyola Marymount and reigning final four team Minnesota.

"Our home tournament is the strongest we have ever had," said Sagula. "Rice will have the best team they've had, Loyola Marymount is a perennial power, and of course Minnesota is a final four team."

UNC plays 16 ACC contests including two each against new conference foes Virginia Tech and Miami. UNC actually plays 17 games against ACC schools but their game against Duke in Chapel Hill will be considered a non-conference matchup, because only 16 ACC contests are allowed.

"The ACC is going to be very strong this year," said Sagula. "Georgia Tech was a top eight team last year. Maryland returns alot of good players and will be strong again this year. Clemson will be tough and Florida State and Wake Forest return veteran teams."

"Most importantly, we hope this schedule will challenge us and prepare us for postseason play."