The Texas A&M – Corpus Christi volleyball team will kick-off the season this Friday when it takes part in the Bearkat Volleyball Invitational on the campus of Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas. The Islanders will begin play with a 2 p.m. match against Rutgers on Friday, in addition to a 9 a.m. match against UT Pan American and a 2 p.m. contest against the host Bearkats Saturday.
It will be the first action of the season and the first-ever meeting between the two teams when the Islanders meet Rutgers on Friday. Five new players could make their debuts for the team, as freshmen Brianna Brink, Shelby Coppedge, Alexis Fritz and Ashley Phelps will be a part of the college game for the first time. Junior transfer Tina Chavis from Florida State College at Jacksonville could also make her Islanders debut.
Returners include senior Jessica Korda, junior Shannon Hullum and seven sophomores from a year ago.
The seven sophomores are led by setter Logen Bourque. Her 964 assists last year was the fourth-highest single-season total in school history while also adding 100 kills and 219 digs. Libero Micah Nolan returns after having a team-high 489 digs, the second-highest season total in Islanders lore.
Brooke Alverson also returns for her sophomore season after having an exceptional freshman campaign. She led the team in block solos (16), block assists (68) and total blocks (84) while also picking up 147 kills on the year. Isabella Arcidiacono is the top returning outside hitter on the team after her 210 kills a year ago were second only to Emma Ridley's 415 kills. Jordan Flemmer, Renee Ramirez and Sarah Sanchez are also returning players who saw action a year ago.
After the Islanders face Rutgers for the first time, the second match of the tourney will feature a tilt against a familiar opponent in the UT Pan American Lady Broncs. The two teams played twice last year, with Texas A&M – Corpus Christi coming out on top both times.
The final match of the weekend will come against fellow Southland Conference member Sam Houston State. The teams squared off three times last year, with the Islanders playing the Bearkats tough before falling 3-2 and 3-1 in the final two meetings.
"There's a reason we're going to Sam Houston, we want to play them again," said head coach Tony Graystone. "Even though we haven't beat them, we've been awfully competitive the last couple of seasons and it's time for this group to take that next step against conference opponents."
Fans can follow the action through live stats and video by visiting www.GoBearkats.com. Video for the entire tournament is available for a fee of $8.95 while live stats will be available free of charge.
