Posted: Friday, August 20, 2010 12:01 am

As has been the case in recent years for the Blue Raider volleyball team, Middle Tennessee is scheduled to play some of the best teams in the country this season.
"We want to play the best teams we absolutely can," said head coach Matt Peck. "It makes us better, it makes the conference better, and I think a number of conference teams have decided to do the same thing. It's only going to help us."

The 2010 slate of matches features six teams that have received votes in the preseason AVCA Coaches Poll, including sixth-ranked Illinois, marking the second consecutive season that Middle Tennessee has played a top 10 opponent. The Blue Raiders will hit the road to take on Long Beach State, who finished one spot shy of the top 25, in Denver and will visit Georgia Tech late in the season.

"We wanted to schedule tough this year, and I think the preseason poll reflects that," said Peck. "However, we know it's a preseason poll. Sometimes that means a lot and sometimes it means nothing. I'm excited to go to Illinois next week. They're one of the premier programs in the country and have been for a long time. I think we're a very athletic team with a very unique system. I'm looking forward to all three matches that first weekend, and I hope we're competitive. I'm pretty sure we will be."

Also receiving votes were Duke, Saint Louis and conference foe FIU, all of which will play matches in Alumni Memorial Gym this season.

"With teams of that caliber coming to AMG, I think it shows a lot of respect for our program," said Peck. "Last year we had Kansas and Georgia Tech visit, and we have some heavy-hitters coming that first weekend this year. Auburn, Duke and Miami will be here. We want to play those teams at home because we think it provides a unique opportunity for us to showcase our team."

Middle Tennessee will be sure to lean on a senior class that have reached the NCAA Tournament each season, including Iza Kozon and Sasha McGlothin, who each remember knocking off 9th-ranked Hawaii to reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007.

"Iza's been a four-year starter for us and really knows what it takes to play at the highest level," said Peck. "She drives our practice. She wants her senior year to be the best one, and I think it can be. Sasha McGlothin has had her career cut short with injuries, but this is the best she's looked in five years. She is doing an outstanding job. I think that with the two of them and Alyssa Wistrick, we have great leadership both on and off the court, and I really think that's going to come through for us by the end of the season."