Volleyball announces 2009 schedule

Amanda Booren - 7/30/2009 San Jacinto College head volleyball coach Sharon Nelson has once again put together a tough schedule for 2009.

PASADENA, Texas – The San Jacinto College volleyball team announced its 2009 schedule this week, which will begin August 28-29 at the Texas Tornado Tournament in Houston.

The 2009 volleyball squad will host six home matches, beginning with Temple College on Tuesday, September 1. Other home matches include Lee College (Sept. 24), Laredo (Oct. 2), Coastal Bend (Oct. 3), Galveston College (Oct. 7) and Wharton County Junior College (Oct. 13).

Following the home opener against Temple, San Jac will embark on a three-week road trip beginning in Brenham at the defending national championBlinn College’s Labor Day Classic September 4-5.The following weekend will see San Jac play at the Willowbrook Patriot’s Day tournament, followed by a weekday trimatch in Temple with Temple College and Tyler Junior College. San Jac will then open conference play against Galveston College and head to the North Central Texas College Classic before returning home.

Mid-season play for San Jac includes the Panola College tournament, and a trip to Miami to face national powerhouse Miami Dade College.

“It’s not an easy schedule,” admits Head Coach Sharon Nelson, who will begin her eighth year at San Jacthis August. “We travel every weekend, but we will be seasoned and fine-tuned to know what to do in numerous situations against all calibers of talent.”

San Jacinto College will once again participate in Dig Pink, a national breast cancer awareness rally being held all of October to raise awareness and funds. Each year high school and college volleyball teams across the country participate in the initiative. Last year San Jac raised more than $600 to fight the cause. This season’s Dig Pink match will be Wednesday, October 7 against Galveston College.

The 2009 Region XIV tournament will be played November 7-8 at a location still to be determined. The national championship returns once again to the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, November 18-23.

San Jac finished last season fifth in the nation, the best finish under Nelson’s tutelage. San Jac returns four players from last season’s 33-3 squad, including setter Abbey Barnett, who led the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in assists a year ago, was a first-team all-conference selection and the Region XIV co-setter of the year. Nelson has added a slew of newcomers, including two NCAA Division I transfers and one from the NCAA Division II ranks.

All San Jac volleyball home games are played at Anders Gymnasium on the San Jacinto College Central campus, located at 8060 Spencer Highway in Pasadena. For a complete 2009 schedule and for more information about San Jacinto College volleyball, please visit www.sanjacsports.com.

San Jacinto College serves more than 24,500 students in more than 140 degrees and certificates in university transfer and technical programs. The College also serves the community through workforce training. Students come with various goals and aspirations and we are committed to their success. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.