The Teams: Tarleton Texans (0-0, 0-0 WAC) vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (0-0, 0-0 NEC); Northwestern State (0-0, 0-0 SLC); ULM (0-0, 0-0 SBC)
Where: Stephenville, TX
Stadium: Wisdom Volleyball Gym
Times: Friday: 10 a.m. CT, 6 p.m. CT Saturday: 5 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+ for all Tarleton matches, WACInternational.TV for non-Tarleton matches
 
TEXAN VOLLEYBALL MATCH DAY
Tarleton Volleyball season is officially here with the Texan Invitational kicking off on Friday morning. The Texans host Fairleigh Dickinson, Northwestern State and ULM in the four team round robin style tournament.
 
Tarleton will kick the tournament off at 10 a.m. CT in Wisdom Gym vs. Fairleigh Dickinson. Later Friday evening at 6 p.m. CT they will take on Northwestern State. The tournament will conclude on Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. CT when Tarleton plays ULM.
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
•  Tarleton will open its season at home as they host the Texan Invitational Aug. 26-27. They host three schools, Fairleigh Dickinson, Northwestern State, ULM, who they will be playing for the first time in program history.
•  Tarleton will open its season at home for the first time since reclassifying to D1. Their last home opener was as a D2 program in 2019 when they hosted the Texan Invitational and took down Cal State-LA 3-2.
•  The Texans are 13-4 all-time in season openers under head coach Mary Schindler and have hosted only three season openers in her 17 year run, going 3-0.
•  Tarleton is 164-50 (.766) at home in Schindler's 17 years under the helm. 

QUICK HITS
•  Tarleton returns nine of 20 letterwinners from a season ago. They replenished their roster with six freshman -- Megan Hodges, Joselyn Roberson, Emma Burke, Breanna McDonough, Isabella Martinez and Ailie Hair. They also added two D1 transfers that are poised to make an immediate impact - Jaylibeth Garcia-Rosa (Northwestern State) and Grayson Schirpik (Houston). The team is made up of nine returners and eight newcomers.
•  Tarleton was 8-8 last season in non-conference matches, playing in four tournaments.
•  Last season, Tarleton ranked third in the WAC in hitting percentage (.228). The top five kills leaders on the team all departed, so the Texans will be looking for others to produce offensively.
•  Coach Schindler is excited for this year's squad, noting "We are a young team. The freshman have had their share of shining moments and have been really impressive athletically." She notes that she has a group of three seniors in Emma Halcomb, Brianna Rhodes and Ana Costas that, "know the ins and outs of the program, work extremely hard and are great leaders for our young players."
•  The Texans did not take part in an exhibition match this season, rather playing a two-set Purple/White scrimmage at the block party. Schindler feels that the Texans "Are making strides to be a tighter unit. Communication is key in this sport and we are coming along in that department." 
 
NOTABLES
Impact Transfers
Jaylibeth Garcia-Rosa (MB/RS) comes to Tarleton in 2022 after an extremely impressive stint at Northwestern State. While at NSU she started all 30 matches in the 2021 season and led the team with 99 total blocks and led the Southland Conference with 37 solo blocks. She also led the team with 30 service aces. The 37 solo blocks rank fifth all-time in NSU single season history. Garcia-Rosa looks to immediately contribute on the Texan frontline.
 
Grayson Schirpik (OH) comes to Tarleton in 2022 after spending a season at the University of Houston. She contributed quite a bit in the 2021 season, seeing time in 21 matches. She was used primarily as a serving specialist, recording two service aces in three different matches. The Cougars saw big success in Schirpik's lone season on the squad as they posted 25 wins for just the fourth time in program history and finished second in the AAC for the first time ever. Schirpiks athleticism jumps out at you and she, just like Garcia-Rosa, will play a big part on the Texan front line.
 
Returning Digs Leader
Ana Costas (DS) led the Texans a season ago with 371 digs and 4.47 digs per set.  The 4.47 digs per set was good for fourth in the WAC. She plays a critical part for the team and as Coach Schindler noted, "is a fierce competitor."
 
The Freshmen
With the Texans adding six true freshmen to the roster, some combination of the youngster's figure to contribute immediately.
Megan Hodges (S) comes to Tarleton from Celina HS and as Schindler noted "she's fast, moves the ball well and will contribute in the setter role." She landed on the TGCA Class 4A All-State team in 2019 and 2021.
Breanna McDonough (RS) comes to Tarleton from Berkeley Prep School in Tampa, FL. "She has what it takes to be a good player in this conference" Schindler said. She was a mamber of the AVCA Phenom List.
Ailie Hair (MB) comes to Tarleton from Liberty Hill HS. Schindler mentioned that Hair "Is a dynamic athlete and has a high contact point." Hair picked up All-District honors in each of her three varsity seasons, including 27-4A first team all-district honors in 2019 as a sophomore and 25-5A first team honors in 2021 as a senior.
Joselyn Roberson (OH) comes to Tarleton from San Marcos HS. She earned first team All-District 26-6A honors in 2021 and had over 1,000 kills in her career.
Emma Burke (MB) comes to Tarleton from Godley HS. According to Schindler she is "fast and a hard worker". Burke is versatile as is evidenced by earning District 11-4A hitter of the year in 2021 and District 11-4A server of the year in 2020.
Isabella Martinez (DS) comes to Tarleton from Hendrickson HS. Some of her feats in HS include District 18-5A Co-Defensive MVP in 2021, named to both the AVCA Phenom list and AVCA all-region team in 2021.
 
New WAC Scheduling
     This season the WAC has scrapped divisions completely after having a West and Southwest Division in 2021. The 13 teams from across the conference will play each other in preparation for the WAC Volleyball Tournament that will be held at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg.
 
 UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
Tarleton will travel to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech on Tuesday Aug. 30. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.