AIKEN, S.C. - The 2009 USC Aiken home volleyball slate begins with a flourish this weekend as the Pacers prepare to host the 2009 USCA Volleyball Invitational at the Convocation Center.

The six-team, two-day volleyball tournament will feature three Peach Belt Conference schools (USC Aiken, Augusta State, Armstrong Atlantic State), one South Atlantic Conference school (Catawba), one Conference Carolinas school (St. Andrews) and one Sunshine State Conference school (Florida Tech).

To kick off their 2009 home schedule the USC Aiken volleyball team has produced a special promotion for Friday's season opener at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

When entering the contest, every fan that purchases (students and Pacer club members are free - see below for further ticket information) a ticket will also receive an additional ticket that will entitle them to free ice cream compliments of Kroger between game two and three of the Pacers match. Additionally, 50 lucky fans with specially marked tickets will receive a Lava Cake compliments of Domino's.

USC Aiken opened its second season of the Glenn Cox era by going 2-2 at the West Georgia Classic in Carrollton, Ga. The Pacers opened the tournament by defeating Albany State (3-0) and Barton (3-1) before ending the tournament by falling to Valdosta State (3-2) and Rollins (3-0).

The defending champions in the USCA Volleyball Invitational, USC Aiken in total will play three matches in the USCA Invitational, opening the event at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4 against Saint Andrews.

USC Aiken will then play two matches on Saturday, Sept. 5. They will first take on Florida Tech at 10 a.m. before closing the tournament by playing Catawba at 3 p.m. The 2009 USCA Invitational will utilize two courts, but USC Aiken will play all three of its matches in the main arena.

Tickets to the USC Aiken Volleyball Invitational are $5 for adults, $2 for children (18-and-under). Children under the age of six are free. USC Aiken students and Pacer club members get in free.

Below is a list of the full match schedule for this weekend's USCA Volleyball Invitational. Fans can also visit the official tournament website:

Official USCA Volleyball Invitational Website (Click Link to Access)

MATCH SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

4:30 p.m......Armstrong Atlantic State vs. Florida Tech (COURT 1 - ARENA)

4:30 p.m.......Augusta State vs. Catawba (COURT 2 - NORTH GYM)

7:00 p.m......USC Aiken vs. St. Andrews (COURT 1 - ARENA)

7:00 p.m.......Catawba vs. Florida Tech (COURT 2 - NORTH GYM)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

10:00 a.m......USC Aiken vs. Florida Tech (COURT 1 - ARENA)

10:00 a.m.......St. Andrews vs. Armstrong Atlantic State (COURT 2 - NORTH GYM)

12:30 p.m......Augusta State vs. St. Andrews (COURT 1 - ARENA)

12:30 p.m.......Armstrong Atlantic State vs. Catawba (COURT 2 - NORTH GYM)

3:00 p.m......USC Aiken vs. Catawba (COURT 1 - ARENA)

3:00 p.m.......Augusta State vs. Florida Tech (COURT 2 - NORTH GYM)

All matches will be played at the USC Aiken Convocation Center

COURT 1 is the main arena floor

COURT 2 is one of the designated upper level practice courts