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GREAT PLAY — Reese Fetty (7) pumps her fist in excitement during a game last season. The A&M-Commerce Lions volleyball team recently released their schedule for the 2023 season, which will be their second in the Southland Conference and NCAA Division I. Submitted Photo
COMMERCE — Texas A&M University-Commerce has announced the 2023 volleyball schedule, that features 10 home matches.
The Lions play in four tournaments in non-conference play and host a non-conference match as well, under the guidance of first year coach Joe Morales.
'I am very excited about our schedule, which competitive one and we are looking to get better each week. Southland play will be a fight each match and I believe our team is up to the task, ready and welcomes it. We are just ready to get started,' said Morales.
Prior to beginning the regular season, the Lions head down to Nacogdoches to face Stephen F. Austin in an exhibition match on Aug. 19. The two teams met last season during the regular season as well.
The regular season begins in San Antonio as part of the UTSA Invitational. A&M-Commerce faces Missouri State and Texas Southern as part of a doubleheader on Aug. 25. The weekend closes out on Aug. 26 against the host, UTSA.
A&M-Commerce has never faced Missouri State and Texas Southern, while it is the sixth meeting against UTSA, but first since 1990. The Lions are 3-2 all-time in the series and this is the first meeting between the two teams in San Antonio.
The Lions head to Abilene Christian for a mid-week non-conference match on Aug. 29. The two former conference foes, who have met 55 times previously, are meeting for the first time since 2012. The Lions are 29-26 all-time and 10-11 in Abilene.
Next, A&M-Commerce heads to Lubbock on Labor Day Weekend to take part in the Red Raider Classic, hosted by Texas Tech. On Sept. 1, the Lions face Wyoming and Louisiana, while facing the Red Raiders on Sept. 2.
The Lions are meeting both Wyoming and Louisiana for the first time and Texas Tech for the third time. The Red Raiders are 2-0 in the all-time series with the two previous meetings coming in 1984 (Lubbock) and 1985 (Commerce).
The first home match of the season takes place on Sept. 5 against Prairie View A&M. The Lions took a 3-0 win over the Panthers in Prairie View last season, which was A&M-Commerce's first win as a NCAA Division I program.
The third tournament of the season takes the Lions to Birmingham, Alabama, for the Blazer Classic, hosted by UAB.
The Lions renew their rivalry against Tarleton on Sept. 9 to begin the weekend, face Alabama later in the day, and close out the weekend against UAB on Sept. 10.
Both the Crimson Tide and the Blazers are facing the Lions for the first time. The Lions take on the Texans for the 56th time, looking for their third consecutive win in the series. A&M-Commerce pulled off a thrilling five-set win in Stephenville last season. The two teams are meeting at a neutral site for the first time since 2005.
Southland Conference play begins on Sept. 14 at home against McNeese in a rematch of last season's SLC Tournament Quarterfinals.
The next day, the Lions head to Arlington to close out non-conference play at the UTA Invitational. A&M-Commerce faces North Texas on Sept. 15, facing the Mean Green in Arlington for the second consecutive season, and it is the 19th overall meeting between the teams. The Lions battle the host, UT Arlington, on Sept. 16, also a rematch from last season. UTA is 3-0 all-time in the series.
The Lions resume conference play on Sept. 23 at Lamar. Both teams won on their home court last season. A&M-Commerce hosts Northwestern State on Sept. 26, another team that they beat at home and fell on the road last season.
To close out the first full week of SLC play, the Lions head to New Orleans on Sept. 28 and defending conference tournament champion Southeastern on Sept. 30. The Lions downed UNO in the SLC Tournament and collected a home win over Southeastern last season.
UIW comes to Commerce on Oct. 5, who the Lions beat twice last season. A&M-Commerce hosts A&M-Corpus Christi on Oct. 7 and head to defending conference champion Houston Christian on Oct. 12.
The Lions are back at home to begin the second half of conference play against Lamar on Oct. 14. After heading to Nicholls on Oct. 19, where the Lions won last season, they host SLU on Oct. 21.
The second match of the season against Northwestern State comes on Oct. 24. The Lions host New Orleans on Oct. 26 and make the return trip to McNeese on Oct. 28.
The final home stand of the season comes against Nicholls on Nov. 2 and HCU on Nov. 4. The Lions close out the regular season at UIW on Nov. 9 and at A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 11.
Morales added, 'I am looking forward to getting this team on campus, starting the process and journey all together. Really thrilled about my assistant Morgan Williams who joined in June and our graduate assistant Makenna Hanssen returning, each has added a new and fresh element to our program, I am lucky to have them.'
This season, the Lions look to punch their ticket to the postseason for the 12th year in a row. The Islanders serve as hosts of the SLC Tournament on Nov. 16-19.