KALAMAZOO, Mich. –  With the regular season just one week away the Western Michigan volleyball team will host Grand Valley State in an exhibition match-up inside University Arena on Friday, Aug. 23 at 5:00 p.m.

The Broncos return 11 from last year's squad that posted an overall record of 16-14, 6-10 in Mid-American Conference play. Heading into 2019, WMU is led by junior Rachel Bontrager who ranked third in the MAC with 435 kills last season en route to First Team All-MAC honors. The junior outside hitter needs just 145 kills to join the 1,000-kill club.

Senior Kathleen Reilly will enter her final season in the Brown & Gold with a staggering 1,741 digs, the third most in program history. Last season Reilly posted 544 digs, the ninth most in a single-season in school history.

Following Friday's exhibition match, Western Michigan opens up the regular season, Aug. 30-31 at the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational presented by Hyatt Place, hosted by Purdue Fort Wayne. On Friday, Aug. 30 the Broncos square off with South Alabama and Purdue Fort Wayne before concluding the weekend on Saturday against Northern Kentucky.

WMU's first home match is set for Sept. 20-21 as IUPUI, Auburn and Michigan State come to visit Kalamazoo as part of the Delta Hotel by Marriott Kalamazoo Conference Center Tournament.

For ticket information visit wmubroncos.com/tickets, call 1-888-4-WMU-Tix or visit the Bronco Ticket Office.