ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College volleyball team opens the 2023 season on Sept. 1 at the Aurora (Ill.) University Tournament, the first of three invitational tournaments on the schedule this fall.

At the Aurora Tournament on Sept. 1-2, the Scots will face three teams - UChicago, Aurora and Cornell College - that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last fall. After a non-conference match at Martin Luther on Sept. 6, Macalester returns home to host the six-team Macalester Invitational, held Sept. 8-9 in the Leonard Center. Following another non-league match at UW-River Falls on Sept. 13, the Scots will participate in the UW-La Crosse Invitational on Sept. 15-16.  The MIAC schedule begins on Sept. 22, with Macalester hosting Concordia on Sept. 22 for the first of seven theme nights (see below). Other highlights of the MIAC slate include matches against Carleton on Oct. 13, St. Olaf on Oct. 21 and Saint Mary's on Nov. 3 for Senior Night.

The MIAC Playoffs begin on Nov. 6, with the finals to be played on Nov. 11.

Macalester, coached by Mary Johnston, registered its second winning season in a row with a record of 14-13 last fall. Fourteen players are back from that squad, including seniors Abi Janzen (Ames, Iowa/Ames), Nalani Tokuhama (Pearl City, Hawaii/Pearl City) and Anna Fritz (Mountain View, Calif./Mountain View).

Click here to view the entire 2023 volleyball schedule.

Here is a list of this year's theme nights.

Fundraiser Night - Sept. 22 vs. Concordia
Pride Night - Sept. 23 vs. Bethel
Faculty Staff Appreciation Night - Oct. 11 vs. Saint Benedict
Pajama Party/Alumni Night - Oct. 13 vs. Carleton
Jersey Night - Oct. 17 vs. UW-Stout
Costume Night - Oct. 21 vs. St. Olaf
Senior Night - Nov. 3 vs. Saint Mary's