GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay volleyball has announced its 2009 schedule, which is highlighted by home matches against three schools from major conferences - Iowa, Wisconsin and Syracuse - as well as a trio of pre-league tournaments to kick off the year.

"Our 2009 schedule is extremely competitive," Head Coach Debbie Kirch said. "Not only do we have our always strong Horizon League opponents, but we also have a great non-conference schedule. To be able to play such high-caliber teams on our home court is a unique opportunity for us."

The Phoenix opens the new campaign Aug. 28 at the Fresno State Tournament where it will take on Pacific in its opening match. The following day, Green Bay will square off with the host Bulldogs, whom the Phoenix defeated at home last season, followed by a bout with Cal State Bakersfield later in the afternoon.

The squad then heads back to Titletown for its home tournament, the Green Bay Country Inn and Suites Classic Sept. 4-5. The Phoenix begins the tourney by hosting Central Michigan on day one, followed by meetings with South Dakota State and the Big Ten's Iowa on the second day.

The third and final pre-league tournament is the Bowling Green Invite, held Sept. 11-12. Green Bay opens the event against the host school Bowling Green on day one. On the second day, Green Bay squares off with Robert Morris in the morning and Northern Iowa in the afternoon.

Before beginning Horizon League play, the Phoenix hosts its downstate rival, Wisconsin, on Sept. 16. It is the first time the two squads have played since 2000. It will be the eighth all-time meeting between the two schools and just the second-ever visit to Green Bay for the Badgers.

Green Bay opens its league slate Sept. 19 with a three-game road stretch against conference opponents, beginning with Loyola. The Phoenix then returns to the Kress Center Sept. 25 for its Horizon League home opener against Milwaukee, followed by another home contest with Youngstown State Oct. 3.

After the two-game home stand, Green Bay hits the road for four games in six days against league competition, beginning with Valparaiso on Oct. 6. On Oct. 16-17, the Phoenix is back at home to host the league's Chicago schools - Loyola and UIC.

Green Bay next heads down I-43 to Milwaukee for a pair of matches, taking on Marquette Oct. 21 and Milwaukee Oct. 23. Following the trip to southern Wisconsin, the Phoenix returns home for one of the marquee matchups of the season, a home meeting with Syracuse of the Big East.

Prior to the Horizon League Tournament Nov. 20-22, the Phoenix hosts four in a row against league schools from Nov. 6-14, finishing up the regular season against Valparaiso. The league tournament format will be different than in years past, as just the top six teams will advance to the event, which will be played at the site of the top seed.

Green Bay's youthful roster features nine returnees from 2008. Ten of the 14 team members are either freshmen or sophomores.