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For Immediate
Release: Thursday, October 17, 2002 LADY BRONC VOLLEYBALL TEAM HOSTS PARENTS' WEEKEND EDINBURG, TX-After defeating their alumni last Friday night, The University of Texas-Pan American volleyball team will play back-to-back matches for the first time in three weeks when they host Texas A&M-International and Prairie View A&M this weekend. TAMIU will visit Friday night, while the Lady Panthers visit Saturday night. Both matches will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse. "This is a great opportunity for us to build on the success we've had recently," said UTPA Head Coach Dave Thorn. "We're hoping to have good crowds at both matches." This weekend is the annual Parents' Weekend. A ceremony recognizing parents and relatives of the Lady Broncs will be held prior to Saturday evening's match. "We'll recognize all the parents for their help," said Thorn. "Our student-athletes wouldn't be where they are without the support and backing of their parents." Texas A&M-International is off to a great start in its first season of volleyball competition. The DustDevils, who compete as a member of the NAIA, are 21-1, with their only loss to nationally-ranked Houston Baptist. "Texas A&M-International is quick and athletic, but we are bigger, and hopefully, that's something that we can exploit," said Thorn. "They are very well-coached and have a setter who is smart and runs their offense well. Their coach was at Laredo Community College, and he came there and brought a lot of his players with him, so a lot of them are playing the same system, but in a different gym. They do a good job of ball control. We'll have to be able to pass on our side and use or height advantage." Prairie View A&M is a member of the Southwest Athletic Conference and comes in with a 9-13 record. "Prairie View is an athletic team, and they are always ready to play," said Thorn. "They always play hard, and they have a middle blocker who caused us problems last year. We need to take care of the ball on our side of the net." Texas-Pan American will return to action next Tuesday night at Texas A&M-Kingsville. VB-24-03101702
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