Volleyball ready to open season Friday at UTA
8/24/2016 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Sam Houston State volleyball program opens its 47th year of play and 33rd under head coach Brenda Gray with three matches at the UTA Maverick Classic beginning Friday.
The Bearkats, who return all six starters and welcome back five additional players, take on UT-Arlington in the season opener on Friday at 7 p.m. The squad returns Saturday for a pair of matches beginning 11 a.m. against Sacramento State followed by a 4:30 p.m. tilt against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
“It's been huge for us to have so many returners,” senior Michelle Griffith said. “It makes drills run easier and have the experience on the court. Instead of having to take steps back, we can continue to move forward and grow from where we left off in the spring.”
The tournament will be the first of four during a season which the Kats will spend the first 13 matches away from home due to ongoing construction in Johnson Coliseum. Despite the road-heavy schedule, 10 of those 13 matches will take place in the state of Texas.
“When I knew we couldn't schedule here at home, I did the best with going as local as I could,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “I didn't want to take a really big trip. I wanted to stay as close as I could since for my first time in 33 years, we don't have a non-conference home match.”
The opening weekend will serve as a homecoming for several north Texas Bearkats including McKinney native Meagan Elkins, Arlington product Claire Kilpatrick, Prosper native Addison Miller and Fort Worth product Brooke White.
The Kats return the league's third-ranked kills leader in Jordyn Vaughn (3.51 per set) as well as Brooke White, who finished seventh (3.18). Michelle Griffith, who took second in assists per set (10.34) will be another key piece back while Claire Kilpatrick, who was fifth in digs per set (4.24) also returns.
“I'm incredibly proud of the work we put in during the summer,” Griffith said. “They all came back in shape and ready to go. We're constantly pushing each other when we're scrimmaging. Our block has grown, as well.”
Sam Houston's opening opponent, UTA, returns nine players off last year's roster that went 19-10 and finished fourth in the Sun Belt Conference. The squad was picked third in the conference's west division this preseason. The meeting will be the first between the former Southland rivals since the Kats defeated the Mavericks in five sets at the league tournament in Conway, Ark.
“I tend to be more of a coach that wants a test against my opponent,” Gray said. “I want my team to understand every match means something. I think on any day, we can beat UTA and on any day, they can beat us. They will be a quality opponent. It's going to be a good weekend to get some good touches.”
The Bearkats have met Sacramento State just once when the Hornets handed the Bearkats a three-set loss at the Sam Houston Invitational back in 2002. Sacramento State is picked fifth preseason in the Big Sky Conference and is coming off a 26-7 season.
The meeting will also be the second all-time against Arkansas Pine Bluff. The Bearkats downed the Lady Lions in three straight set in Fort Worth two seasons ago.
“It's early but it's time we go against someone to see what we have to continue working on,” Gray said. “We know we're a work in progress but the ultimate goal is the conference championship. We want to see our strengths and weaknesses. I really like where we are right now.”
Season tickets are currently on sale for $30 while individual match seats are $5 for general admission seating. A special group ticket discount of $3 is available for groups of 10 or more fans. To purchase, call the ticket office at (936) 294-1729 or visit GoBearkats.com.
