COMMERCE - Having won its last two, the East Texas A&M University volleyball team hosts a pair of matches at the Hunt Regional Healthcare court this weekend as they begin Southland Conference play against HCU and UIW.
LIONS' SCHEDULE COMING UP
THROWBACK THURSDAY
Thursday is Throwback Thursday in the Field House. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free 80's themed t-shirt, presented by CBJ Custom Apparel.
FAMILY DAY/YOUTH DAY
All kids wearing their youth team jersey for Saturday's match against UIW will receive free admission.
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 ARE ON FIRE
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 Saturday's win over Lindenwood in Iowa by picking up its first win at home on Monday night. Facing a match point, the Lions took the fourth and fifth set to move to 2-0 over the Wildcats over the last three seasons.
CARDIAC LIONS
The Lions picked up two five-set wins over the last week and are now 9-3 in five-set matches since 2023.
WASHINGTON LEADING THE WAY
Freshman libero Washington enters Thursday as the leader in NCAA Division I with an average of 6.08 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 11.46 attacks per set, which puts her first in the Southland Conference and 25th in 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 conference opener for the Lions comes against HCU on Thursday night. The two teams went 1-1 against each other a year ago, with both teams winning on their home floors. HCU is 5-8 through non-conference play with notable wins over ULM and Louisiana Tech. Allan Archie is averaging 2.67 kills per set, which leads the team, while Bianca Byerly has 3.32 digs per set, which leads the team as well.
UIW start conference play at Northwestern State on Thursday night before playing in Commerce on Saturday. The Cardinals are 4-8 going into conference play, having won over Albany, Northern Colorado, Abilene Christian, and Missouri State. The team leader in kills is Kitana Tuufuli, who is averaging 2.76 kills per set and Ashton Rogers is averaging 3.61 digs per set to lead the way defensively.
-ETAMU-
