Around Campus

Horns Home In Gregory

The 2004 Texas Volleyball season is just around the corner! Head coach Jerritt Elliott has an established group of veterans, including two returning senior All-Americans, Bethany Howden and Mira Topic. With a quality field set for the annual Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational and the always-strong Big 12 Conference slate, the Longhorns will one again heed the challenges at Gregory Gym.

“ We had a great spring season and an incredible European training tour in May,” Elliott said. “We have a very young group of players, and all of that extra training time will pay dividends when we start our preseason camp in August, and more importantly, when we open the season in September. As long as we stay healthy, we have very high expectations for our team in 2004.”

Topic, a two-time All-American, and Howden anchor a strong front line for Texas that has been known for exciting action at the net. Topic, one of the nation’s premier outside hitters, and Howden, one of the top middle blockers in the country, will try to bring the Longhorns back to the NCAA Tournament. Joining the frontcourt is sophomore Brandy Magee, who led last year’s team in hitting percentage and blocks. Also returning are sophomore setter Jenny Andrew and Erin Larson.

The start of the new season also marks the arrival of six new faces to the team, including top prep player Jen Christian and MVP of Orange County (Calif.), defensive specialist Alyson Jennings. Sophomore Dariam Acevedo who was voted the Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year will also return to the court after missing almost all of last season after suffering a knee injury along with highly-touted middle blocker Leticia Armstrong.

Tickets for all Longhorns volleyball matches can be purchased online at www.TexasBoxOffice.com or by calling (512) 471-3333 or 1-800-982-BEVO (2386). Walk-up tickets can also be purchased at the Gregory Gym ticket window on days of matches.

Date - Day - Opponent - Site (Arena) - Time

Sept. 10-11 - Friday-Saturday - TIME WARNER CABLE TEXAS INVITATIONAL

Sept. 18 - Saturday - COLORADO* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 - Wednesday - IOWA STATE* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 - Saturday - OKLAHOMA* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - TBA

Oct. 13 - Wednesday - MISSOURI* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 - Wednesday - NEBRASKA* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 - Saturday - KANSAS STATE* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 - Saturday BAYLOR* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 - Thursday - TEXAS A&M* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 17 - Wednesday - KANSAS* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 27 - Saturday - TEXAS TECH* - Austin, Texas (Gregory Gym) - 6:30 p.m.

* indicates Big 12 Conference opponent • all home contests in BOLD CAPS • all home contests played at Gregory Gymnasium • all times CST • Tickets available online at www.TexasBoxOffice.com or by calling (512) 471-3333 / 1-800-982-BEVO