LAREDO, Texas (August 31, 2017) - The Texas A&M International University Women's Volleyball team is set to open the 2017 season on Friday, September 1. TAMIU's first game will be held in Durant, Oklahoma at the South Central Classic, hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma University. 

A LOOK AT THE DUSTDEVILS
Head Coach Susie Jangada enters her third season at the helm of the TAMIU Volleyball program. Jangada looks forward to the new season, commenting "I think we are all aware of how the season finished last season, we are in a major rebuilding phase and we are really looking forward to seeing how the pieces have come together thus far. This season will be a good judge for the upcoming future for TAMIU Volleyball."


TAMIU returns Senior Alejandra Bustamante and Junior Megan Unrath who saw time on the court last season. Panebi Shirey will begin her second season as a Dustdevil. Bustamante saw time in 74 sets in 2016, playing in 24 matches. Unrath started 12 matches, playing in 50 sets. 

10 newcomers give the Dustdevils a brand new look for the 2017 season. Six players transfer in to the Dustdevil program as Juniors who look to help Bustamante and Unrath lead the squad. Head Coach Susie Jangada commented, "Our upperclassmen are adjusting to each other and feeding off of each others chemistry. We have a very interactive experience when everyone is together in the gym. Their attention to detail and response to various scenarios is impressive. The leadership of our upperclassmen is key to leading the team through each challenge."

Mykeeta Ussery comes in as a Sophomore Outside Hitter after attending the Wentworth Military Academy in 2016. Gabrielle Zamora, Mya Rodriguez, and Shelby Hale round out the incoming class as freshmen. 

Jangada added, "Each player has a specific role with our team and we are looking forward to each player developing in their role and adapting to the needs of our team."

2017 SOUTH CENTRAL CLASSIC
TAMIU will take part in the South Central Classic for the second time in program history. Last season the team faced Southern Arkansas, Union (TN), Central Oklahoma, and host Southeastern Oklahoma. TAMIU will get looks at two new opponents in 2017 as they are set to face Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Nazarene on Friday. Play concludes against familiar opponents in Southern Arkansas and Southeastern Oklahoma on Saturday. 

Jangada commented on the tournament, "I am very excited about this weekend. It will be our first chance to get on the court and compete together, it is a very well run tournament with a high level of play. Last season it was a good challenge that we didn't respond to but I am looking forward to how this team adjusts."

THE SCHEDULE
Friday, September 1
TAMIU vs. Oklahoma Baptist University - 12:00pm
TAMIU vs. Southern Nazarene University - 5:00pm

Saturday, September 2
TAMIU vs. Southern Arkansas University - 10:00am
TAMIU vs. Southeastern Oklahoma University - 12:00pm

Live stats and a live video stream will be available throughout the tournament and links will be posted with the corresponding games on the 2017 TAMIU Volleyball Schedule.

2017
Following play in the South Central Classic, TAMIU will head east, taking on Clark Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia on September 7. Play in the Emmanuel College Volleyball Tournament follows before the Dr. Margaret Downing Invitational in Magnolia, Arkansas, held September 15-16. 

TAMIU opens Heartland Conference action on September 21 in Dallas, Texas when they take on Dallas Baptist University. 

STAY TUNED:
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