Episode 2: The ACC Schedule Breakdown

Starting with the tough schedules, and let's be clear, it ain't ever easy in the ACC, okay? We know this.

You combine top-tier talent with some crazy travel days, and it could be anybody's match, right? This isn't just about opponents, it's about when you play them as well.

So looking at early tests for some of our ACC squads, we've got to talk about some of these non-conference invitationals.

Later on, I'm gonna do a week one preview, like a week one action preview.

I think that'll be episode four, um, where I'll really dive into these match-ups for week one.

But I do wanna acknowledge these invitationals, 'cause it plays into strength of schedule for these teams.

So technically, the volleyball season officially starts with that annual AVCA First Serve, August 21st through the 24th, um, in Milwaukee.

Now, I'll dive more into that match-up in my week one preview, but right now we just know that, you know, Louisville, SMU, and Pitt will all be battling it out all weekend against teams like the reigning champs, Texas A&M, and the 2025 runner-up, uh, Kentucky as well.

So with that being said, as of right now, in my opinion, I believe Louisville has the toughest schedule now compared to other ACC teams, okay? Don't get me wrong, Pitt, SMU, and Stanford are welcoming early challenges, but Louisville is all gas, no brakes this year.

The Cards' 32-match regular season slate features 18 matches against teams that made the tournament last year.

Let me repeat that.

18 of their 32 matches this year are teams that made it to the NCAA tournament.

Plus, 8 of their 12 non-conference match-ups are on the road.

Plus, they will also face four national semifinalists from last year.

[chuckles] It's a lot going on for the Cardinals.

They're gonna know, I mean, just what they're made of, I think, before conference play starts, and I think that's what you want, in my opinion.

I think get it out the way, learn quick, gel together, figure it out, and then once conference play happens, you know what you're capable of.

Whether you saw some bad stuff in non-conference or the good stuff, you can take all that into ACC play to help put yourself in better position for a conference title, for a high seed in the NCAA tournament, and a big run.

Um, they do get a little easier start to conference play.

They get to host Stanford, [chuckles] 'cause that's easy, and, uh, North Carolina before a tough finish in conference action puts them on the road at SMU, Pitt, and North Carolina.

All very tough road environments, all very tough teams that have huge, high expectations this season.

So they only have to play Pitt once, and Miami once, and Stanford once, um, which is nice, but still.

I think Pitt's travel schedule is pretty grueling.

The Panthers also have 18 matches against NCAA tournament teams from last year.

But when you look at their conference slate, their second match into ACC play is a home game against Stanford, the team they shared the ACC title with last year.