HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The entire 2004 Marshall University women’s volleyball playing schedule was announced today by Thundering Herd head coach Mitch Jacobs.

The Herd’s non-conference schedule was released in late March prior to the finalization of the Mid-American Conference slate. Marshall has since added to its out-of-league schedule by striking deals for a home-and-home series with Morehead State (Sept. 10-11) and trips to Indiana/Purdue-Ft. Wayne (Oct. 9) and Niagara (Oct. 13).

Marshall advanced to its first MAC Tournament Championship match last season and will attempt to take that achievement a step further as the Herd prepares for its final season of competition in the MAC before joining Conference USA in 2005.

MU will commence the conference schedule when it plays host to MAC East Division rival Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 26 at the Cam Henderson Center. A weekend trip within the division will see Marshall take on Kent State and Akron on Oct. 1-2 to get the MAC calendar in full speed.

Marshall will make trips to West Division foes Northern Illinois (Oct. 8), Ball State (Oct. 22) and Bowling Green (Nov. 12). The Herd will get two cracks at avenging the MAC title match loss when it faces the Ohio Bobcats in Huntington on Oct. 27 and in the season finale in Athens on Nov. 13.

“We’re excited for our final season in the MAC,” Jacobs said. “We have a very interesting schedule in that the first half is really heavy with road matches, while the second half has a strong emphasis at home.

“It was also nice to add matches with Morehead State, IPFW and Niagara, which are good programs that will test our girls.”

In 2003, Marshall won its most matches (21) since 1996 and posted its first ever wins in the MAC Tournament.