STEPHENVILLE - The Tarleton women's volleyball team will have their home opener Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. and will follow that up with a match against No. 13 West Texas A&M Saturday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m.

The TexAnns are 4-5 on the season and coming off a strong performance at the Angelo State Tournament last weekend. 

On the year, Tarleton is hitting a .171 percentage, and averaging 11.3 assists, 11.8 kills, and 14.6 digs per set.  The TexAnns are holding opponents to just a .115 hitting percentage on the season.

Flynn Harrell is leading the offense with 122 kills, while Nikki McNorton has added 97 more.  Jessie Hartman has 223 assists, followed by Danielle Barker's 149. 

McNorton has already been named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week once and all-tournament team twice with her early success at Tarleton.  She has recorded 52 total blocks (6 solo, 46 assisted) and is hitting a .252 attack percentage.

Lacy Hodges leads the team in digs with 133, while Harrell has 106 and Hartman has 92.

Eastern New Mexico is 2-7 this year and 1-2 in the LSC.  As a team, the Zias are hitting a .106 percentage compared to opponents' .147 mark.  They average 11.1 kills, 10.2 assists, and 18.3 digs per set.

West Texas A&M is 10-0 on the season, and is currently on a 87-game LSC winning streak.  The Lady Buffs are hitting a .339 percentage while holding opponents to a .107 mark.  They average 14.8 kills, 14.2 assists, and 14.7 digs per set.

Tarleton athletics has a couple of promotions for the volleyball games this weekend.  Thursday, Sept. 15 will be Bastrop Relief Effort Night, put on by Lambda Chi Alpha.  Bring a donation of bedding, toiletries, water, energy drinks or quick-made foods to the game for free admission.  One free admission per donated item.  Game time is 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Tarleton will follow that up with Purple Out on Saturday, Sept. 17 when the TexAnns host No. 13 West Texas A&M at 2 p.m.  A prize will be awarded to the person with the most purple.

Fans can follow along the game with live stats courtesy TarletonSports.com.

For more information regarding the 2011 Tarleton volleyball season, check out TarletonSports.com.