RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech head volleyball coach Amber McCray announced the scheduling of three countable fall matches on Friday afternoon.
 
The Lady Techsters hit the court for the first time in the 2020-21 season on Oct. 15 at Stephen F. Austin. The season opener in Nacogdoches, Texas, is slated for 6:30 p.m.
 
LA Tech concludes its fall campaign in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with matchups against two Conference USA opponents on Oct. 24. Tech will face off against Southern Miss at 11 a.m. before concluding its fall season with a 2:30 p.m. tilt against UAB. While both matches will count toward Tech's overall record, they will not count toward the 2020-21 conference record.
 
The NCAA's ruling allows volleyball programs to play countable matches during the fall although the majority of LA Tech's season, including all of conference play, will come in the spring.
 
"With the postponement of our conference season and other missed opportunities to play over the past seven months, any chance to compete is a blessing," McCray said. "We have had a great first few weeks of practice, but it is always exciting to actually suit up against someone else.

"Also, with boasting a roster size of 20 that includes nine newcomers, these matches will provide invaluable experience for our staff and team. We will be able to try a number of different lineups and see a variety of players in action, which will best prepare us for the bulk of our season this spring."
 
LA Tech's most recent match against SFA was a 3-1 defeat at home in 2014. The Lady Techsters split with Southern Miss in 2019, notching a 3-1victory on Senior Night over the Golden Eagles.
 
UAB and Tech have faced off each year since the Lady Techsters joined the C-USA in 2013. Tech has won two of the past three matchups, including a 3-1 win in McCray's C-USA debut on Sept. 29, 2019.
 
Keep up with the Lady Techsters throughout the 2020-21 season by following @LATechVB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.