BUIES CREEK, N.C.-Renewed rivalries, education days and a full Atlantic Sun slate highlight the 2010-11 Campbell women's basketball schedule.

"I think our schedule offers us some good competition both in and outside of our league," said CU head coach Wanda Watkins. "We have the combination of a few schools that we haven't played, along with the Big South schools, and on top of that we've added back to our schedule UNC Wilmington, which is a rivalry we've enjoyed for years."

The Lady Camels, fresh off a season where the team captured its most wins in nearly a decade, will kick off the year at Longwood in a "classic" formatted tournament that will also include Appalachian State on Nov. 12 and 13.

"We split with Longwood last year, and it was a battle in both games," said Watkins. "Appalachian had a great finish to their season last year, winning the Women's Basketball Invitational. That tournament will be a good test for us."

Campbell battled to a split with the Lancers in last season's home-and-home series, dropping the game in Farmville, Va. before tallying an 82-70 win inside the John W Pope. Jr. Convocation Center. Two other road contests will also challenge the Lady Camels in November, with Wofford (Nov. 17) and Coastal Carolina (Nov. 23) also on the schedule.

"Judging on last year, we know Wofford will be a really good game because we know how we won that game last year," said Watkins of the Lady Camels' 82-80 opener last year. "It was a close one at the end."

Opening Campbell's home slate will be UNC Asheville on Saturday, Nov. 20. Last season, the Lady Camels handed UNCA a 78-67 setback that included an 18-point margin at one time.

December opens with a three game homestand, with contests against High Point (Dec. 1), UNC Wilmington (Dec. 11) and North Carolina Central (Dec. 14). The Lady Camels have locked up with UNCW 44 times since the series began in 1974, by far the most of any opponent in program history. Though the series has taken a two year break, Campbell holds a 30-14 edge over the Seahawks.

On Dec. 14, Campbell University and the Lady Camels will host the first of two Education Days for local youth. The busy day includes several sessions on other parts of campus, plus free admission to see the Lady Camels take on NC Central inside the Pope Center. The second Education Day will be on Jan. 10, as Campbell faces Mercer in an A-Sun battle.

"I'm excited about the two Education Days that we're hosting," said Watkins. "I think it will be a great tool, not only to help our program, but to help our University by bringing all of these young people here early and giving them a taste of what a day is like at Campbell University. I know they have all kinds of activities planned for the day. It also gives us a chance to bring these young people here and show them what Campbell is all about. I'm grateful to everyone who has made this possible because it's going to give us some exposure in areas that we normally wouldn't get and bring some people here that normally wouldn't be at a women's basketball game. I just think it's a great opportunity for our program and our University."

The always challenging A-Sun schedule begins on the road this season for CU, opening at USC Upstate, who finished last season with a 20-9 record as one of the league's most improved teams. The Lady Camels split with the Spartans a year ago, with each team taking a win on the road. Following that matchup, Campbell will head to East Tennessee State, who has represented the conference in each of the last three NCAA Tournaments.

"We have to get ready quickly because I think we're going to have a big challenge in opening conference play on the road with two of the top teams in the league in Upstate and ETSU," said Watkins. "Our nonconference schedule is definitely going to be important for us, but when we jump right into A-Sun play with two of the league's top teams it's going to be really important how we handle ourselves. Of course, that's only two games, but that could be a turning point for us."

After the conference preview, the Lady Camels will play their final nonconference game of the season on Dec. 30 at Presbyterian. Campbell has never faced their future Big South conference rival.

"We're going to have to be sharp, we're going to have to be crisp, we're going to have to be ready, and then we'll get into the full swing of our conference schedule," said Watkins.

The New Year will bring a full slate of Atlantic Sun games, with Jacksonville (Jan. 3), North Florida (Jan. 5), Kennesaw State (Jan. 8) and Mercer (Jan. 10) all in Buies Creek to begin 2011, and a busy January that will pit the Lady Camels in 10 contests over the month.

"The New Year brings all conference games," added the Lady Camel head coach. "It will be nice to open up the New Year at home. The downside is that we'll be without our students, but I hope our community comes out and helps us get out to a good start with those games at home."

Belmont, Lipscomb, North Florida and Jacksonville on the road, as well as Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast in Buies Creek will round out Campbell's packed January schedule.

"Starting the conference schedule is one thing; we started last season very strong, but we didn't finish strong," said Watkins. "So this year, we need to start strong, and we need to finish stronger. If we do that this year our season can be entirely different."

Campbell will finish the regular season with four of six at home, sandwiching Stetson and FGCU on the road in between Belmont, Lipscomb (Feb. 12 and 14), ETSU and USC Upstate (Feb. 24 and 26).

The A-Sun Tournament will again be hosted by Mercer in Macon, Ga., scheduled for March 2-5 inside the University Center.

"I'm looking forward to the season," added Watkins. "I think we have a good hub coming back. We'll certainly miss the seniors we lost from last year. I love the work ethic that our team has developed, and I hope that filters down to our freshman class. I think the schedule is challenging. It will test us at times, but it will definitely help us get ready for A-Sun play when we jump right in the saddle on Dec. 14 and 16."