AT A GLANCE
The No. 23 Texans (11-6, 5-3 LSC) will play two conference road matches this week. They'll open the week in San Antonio at St. Mary's on Friday and then travel to Austin to play St. Edward's on Saturday.
 
THE GAMES
Friday, October 18th
6:00 p.m. — at St. Mary's, Bill Greehey Arena, San Antonio, TX
 
Saturday, October 19th
1:00 p.m. – at St. Edward's, SEU Recreation Center, Austin, TX
 
GAME COVERAGE
Live stats and live video will be available for the games. Both links can be found on the Tarleton Volleyball schedule page at TarletonSports.com. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
Tarleton is coming off a 2-1 week with a wins over Texas Woman's and Dallas Baptist.
 
Hot starts in all three sets helped Tarleton cruise past Dallas Baptist in a Lone Star Conference divisional sweep Friday night.
 
Despite a record-setting afternoon for Sofia Tonga, Tarleton suffered a five-set loss in its rematch with DBU in Dallas Saturday afternoon. Tonga recorded her first career double-double with 10 kills and 17.0 total blocks, which broke Marissa Galich's 24-year old record of 15.0 blocks in a single match against Winona State on Sept. 8, 1995.
 
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Tarleton Volleyball is ranked No. 23 heading into this week's matches after the latest poll was released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Tarleton has now been ranked in 36 straight AVCA polls dating back to the final poll of the 2016 season.
 
The Texans are one of three Lone Star Conference teams ranked by the AVCA, joining Angelo State (18) and Texas A&M-Commerce (25).
 
THE OPPONENT: ST. MARY'S
The Texans and Rattlers last met on September 21st, where Tarleton swept St. Mary's at home, 3-0. The Rattlers lead the all-time series 12-10 and hold the advantage in San Antonio, 5-3. St. Mary's enters the match 8-8 on the season with a 2-6 mark in conference play.
 
THE OPPONENT: ST. EDWARD'S
The Texans and Hilltoppers last met on September 20th, where Tarleton defeated St. Edward's in Wisdom, 3-1. St. Edward's leads the all-time series 13-10 and hold the advantage in Austin, 8-3. The Hilltoppers enter the match 10-6 on the season with a 5-3 mark in LSC play.
 
TONGA NAMED LSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON
Sofia Tonga has been named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.
 
Tonga continues to be one of the nation's most elite defenders at the net. The senior from Laie, Hawaii averaged 10.0 blocks per match and 2.50 blocks per set while leading Tarleton to a pair of wins in three matches last week. Tonga started her week with a 10.0-block performance on the road at Texas Woman's. After just 3.0 blocks in Friday night's quick sweep of DBU, she followed up Saturday at DBU with a school-record 17.0 total blocks.
 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans will return home to the Wisdom Volleyball Gym next week for three match-ups. First, Tarleton will take on West Texas A&M on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7:00 pm. Over the weekend, the Texans will battle #21 Texas A&M Commerce on Friday at 6:00 pm and UT-Tyler on Saturday at 2:00 pm. Friday's match-up will be a Max Point Game (500 points) on the Tarleton Sports app.