By By Patrick McHugh, News Staff

Though it missed the NCAA tournament last season, the volleyball team will get plenty of regular season tournament experience this season.
Head coach Ken Nichols released the 2009 schedule June 18. The team will play four tournaments total in August and September to start the season.
The Huskies begin their 28-game campaign Aug. 28 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County memorial tournament, against Long Island. The team will face UMBC and a third opponent, which has yet to be determined, the next day.
Following the home opener Sept. 1 against Rhode Island at Solomon Court, the squad will head west to take part in the Long Beach State/University of California, Irvine Tournament Sept. 4 and 5. The following week the team returns to Massachusetts to play in the Crusader Classic in Worcester, where the Huskies will play back-to-back contests against Holy Cross and Boston College Sept. 12.
After a Sept. 16 game in Connecticut, Northeastern travels to Hanover, N.H., to play in the Dartmouth Invitational. NU faces Central Connecticut State Sept. 18 and will play Sacred Heart and Dartmouth the following day. The final non-conference matchup will be at home against New Hampshire Sept. 22.
The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) schedule commences against Hofstra Sept. 26.’ The Huskies will play a total of 14 CAA games, split between home and away. There is a stretch in which seven of nine CAA games are on the road, however the final four contests are at home.
The CAA tournament will take place Nov. 20 to 22 at the home of the regular season champion. Last season Northeastern won the regular season title and hosted the tournament at Solomon Court, losing to Delaware 3-2 in the tournament final Nov. 24.