COMMERCE - The East Texas A&M University volleyball team is on its way to Corpus Christi to begin a stretch of four matches in a row, taking on A&M-Corpus Christi and UTRGV this weekend.
LIONS' SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND
FULL DIVISION I MEMBERS
East Texas A&M University received approval from the NCAA in June 2025 for its expedited transition process to become full NCAA Division I members and become immediately eligible for NCAA sponsored postseason events. The Lions look to make the NCAA Tournament at any level for the first time since 2019.
THE LIONS GO ON FIRE TO WIN TWO FIVE-SETTERS
After being down 2-1 to Lindenwood, East Texas A&M took the next two sets to win its first match of the season, having downed the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions.
Jade Washington (Waco - Midway) had 40 digs in the match, becoming the first player in NCAA Division I recording 40 or more digs in a match this season.
The Lions followed up the win over Lindenwood in Iowa by picking up its first win at home on September 22 against Abilene Christian. Facing a match point, the Lions took the fourth and fifth sets to move to 2-0 over the Wildcats over the last three seasons.
CARDIAC LIONS
Three of the last four matches have gone the distance for the Lions, who went 2-1 in those matches. Since 2023, East Texas A&M is 9-4 in matches that go the distance.
WASHINGTON LEADING THE WAY
Freshman libero Washington enters Thursday as the leader in NCAA Division I with an average of 5.94 digs per set. She was also the first player in NCAA Division I to record 40 or more digs in a match, picking up 40 in the win over Lindenwood.
PASS IT TO GRACIE
Through 11 matches this season,
Gracie Campbell (Klein Oak) has an average of 11.76 attacks per set, which puts her first in the Southland Conference and also 15th in NCAA Division I.
STARTING IN THE FRIENDLY CONFINES
For the second straight year, East Texas A&M hosted the Lion Invitational to begin the season. It marked the second consecutive season that the Lions played at home. Prior to last season, the last time that the Lions opened the season at home outside of the COVID affected shortened Spring 2021 season, was 2009. East Texas A&M also hosts the Southland Conference tournament this season.
HELLO NEW LIONS
The Lions welcome plenty of new faces to the squad this season, bringing in new newcomers, of which five are transfers, while four are freshmen. Every new Lion has appeared in at least one set through the first six matches of the season.
GOING STREAKING
This season, the Lions are looking to make the postseason for the 14
th season in a row, which is the longest active streak of any program at East Texas A&M. The Lions are hosts of the Southland Tournament this year as they look to clinch a spot in the eight-team tournament and play a postseason match at home for the first time since 2019.
TIDE ROLLED
In 2023, the Lions downed Alabama in a five-set match on September 8 for East Texas A&M's first win over a Power Five conference opponent. The Lions fell behind 2-1 in the match, but took the final two sets. It is the first ever win over an SEC opponent in school history in any sport.
BLAZERS TAMED
The Lions followed the win over Alabama with a win over UAB the next day. The Blazers took the first set, but East Texas A&M took the next three sets, including a comeback from being down 23-17 in the second set.
SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM
This offseason, the Lions once again received the AVCA Team Academic Award, marking the eighth consecutive year that the Lions received the award, being one of the longest active streaks in NCAA Division I.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
The road trip for East Texas A&M begins on Thursday at the Islanders, who are 5-9 on the season, with wins over Alabama State, Tarleton, Prairie View A&M (twice), and picked up their first conference win against Lamar last Saturday. A&M-Corpus Christi won the SLC Tournament a year ago and played in the NCAA Tournament against Texas. In the past six matches between the two teams, the Islanders have won all six, with the Lions winning just two sets across the six meetings.
Logan Dyer is the team leader in kills with 2.56 kills per set, while Virginia Van Der Werff has an average of 9.37 assists per set, Brooklyn Jaeger is averaging 4.52 digs per set.
UTRGV is 6-7 to start of the season, including a win over Lamar in conference play. The Vaqueros have wins over LIU, Northern Kentucky, Akron, William & Mary, and Delaware State during non-conference play. Last season, the Vaqueros won both meetings over the Lions. The all-time series between the two teams is tied 3-3. Martina Franco has 3.64 kills per set to lead the team, followed by 9.39 assists from Isabella Costantini, and Celianiz Cabranes has 4.65 digs to lead the team.
-ETAMU-
