The University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team is tentatively set to open the 2021 season with a road match against Cal State Northridge on March 11 or 12.

March 11 is the official start date for the Big West’s regular season of 10 matches. But UH coach Charlie Wade said he is seeking to play “nonconference” matches against Big West teams ahead of March 11. “We have to work out more than 10,” Wade said. “We’re in that process now.”

On Friday, the Big West Conference, of which UH is a member, announced the schedule format for men’s volleyball. The outline calls for the six teams to play two-match series against each other. Teams could play a third match that would not count toward the league standings.

Wade said the coaches favored three-match series, with each counting in the standings, but the athletic directors approved only the two-match format. UH officials had voted in favor of three matches. “If it were a coaches’ vote, we’d be playing three,” Wade said.

Nearly a year to the day, the Warriors will open the new season where the previous one ended. The Warriors were set to play CSUN last March 13 and 14 when the pandemic canceled the 2020 season. Wade said the 2021 and 2020 schedules are nearly identical. That means the Warriors will play CSUN and UC Santa Barbara on the road, and Long Beach State, UC Irvine and UC San San Diego at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

“It’s the same 2020 schedule, because we never played it,” Wade said. “If you switch and go to the ’21 schedule, then Long Beach literally does not come here for four years, because they were (last) here in ’19.”

Wade said UC San Diego and UC Irvine have agreed to play a third match against UH. “So, you know (the schedule) will be more than 10,” Wade said.

The UC schools — Santa Barbara, San Diego, Irvine — are idle the March 19 weekend because of final exams. Wade said he hopes to remain in California following the CSUN series and play a “nonconference” match against a Big West team. “We’re going to see if Long Beach wants to play us that week, which makes total sense,” Wade said.

Wade said there is no decision on whether masks will be required for players during matches. Wade said the Warriors have worn masks in practices and scrimmages. “It’s easier to take off a mask than put one on,” Wade theorized.

The Warriors unveiled their 2021 team with a live Zoom of Saturday’s schedule.

About 250 people have signed up for today’s annual fund-raising banquet, which will be conducted online.