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LADY BRONCS OPEN AT SUBWAY CARDINAL CLASSIC EDINBURG, TX-With their pre-season workouts completed, The University of Texas-Pan American's volleyball team is ready to open their season. The Lady Broncs will begin 2003 action this weekend at Lamar's Subway Cardinal Classic, at the Montagne Center on the LU campus. "I'm very excited about our team, and I'm ready to see them on the court," said UTPA Head Coach Dave Thorn. "The players are getting anxious, we're looking good, it's been a productive pre-season, and we're ready to play against someone else." Texas-Pan American opens the tournament against host Lamar Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Cardinals were 26-7 last season, 17-3 in the Southland Conference, and are picked to finish third in their league in one poll this year, and fourth in the other poll. LU fell to Texas-Arlington in the SLC championship match. "It should be a good match," said Thorn. "It will be the first match of the year for both teams, and it will be interesting to see what happens. Lamar lost a lot of starters from a good team last year." Saturday, the Lady Broncs meet North Texas at noon, and Lehigh at 5 p.m. UNT went 16-17 last season, 10-5 in Sun Belt action. The Mean Green are picked to finish second in the SBC's Western Division. Lehigh was 21-13 last year, 10-4 in the Patriot League, and advanced to the conference finals, losing to top-seeded American. "North Texas is a very experienced squad, and is picked to finish among the top teams in their conference," said Thorn. "They are very senior-heavy. We've never seen Lehigh, so it will be a first for both teams. Physically, I think we can match up with these teams. If our returning players step up, and our new players don't get freaked out, we should do OK." Following this weekend's action, UTPA will return home for their home opener next Tuesday, September 2nd against Prairie View A&M. VB-01-04082703
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