August 25, 2008

at Mean Green Classic

ARLINGTON, Texas - The UT Arlington volleyball team will take on Jackson State in its season-opener on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Mean Green Classic in Denton. The Mavericks will compete in the two-day classic on the campus of North Texas, also battling Texas Tech (11 a.m.) and North Texas (7 p.m.) on Saturday. All matches will be played at the Mean Green Volleyball Center. Live stats of all tournament matches can be viewed on the North Texas athletics website (www.meangreensports.com).

The Mavs are led by fifth-year head coach Diane Seymour who leads a program that features seven freshmen among 13 players on the roster. The UT Arlington veterans include seniors Ally Wade (5-11, outside hitter) and Michelle Schwartz (5-11, middle blocker) and junior Teena Sobczak (6-0, outside hitter).

After finishing 19-11 overall and 12-4 (second place, West Division) in the Southland Conference, UT Arlington will begin its campaign against two familiar foes and Jackson State, who is a first-time opponent for the Mavs.

INSIDE THE SERIES:
It will be UT Arlington's first match-up against Jackson State, but it will be the fourth overall meeting for the Mavs against a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent. The Mavericks have posted victories over Grambling (1-0) and Texas Southern (2-0).

The Mavericks have a 21-13 all-time advantage over Texas Tech, despite the Red Raiders winning five of the last six meetings dating back to 1993. UT Arlington will take on North Texas for the first time since 1998. The Mavericks own a decisive 52-5 advantage, which includes a streak of 42 in a row from 1976-1993. UT Arlington has lost only once in Denton since 1976.

UT ARLINGTON 19-15-1 IN SEASON-OPENERS
In its 36th season of volleyball, UT Arlington takes a 19-15-1 overall record into its season-opener at the Mean Green Classic against Jackson State. Head Coach Diane Seymour lost her first season-opener last season, 0-3, against Houston on the road. Seymour and former Mavericks coach Lisa Love are the only UT Arlington coaches to begin their careers with a perfect 3-0 record in season-openers.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
The NCAA has made a few rule changes for the upcoming season, including two that might help fans that follow high school and collegiate programs:

Points Required to Win a Set. Instead of 30 points, the number of points needed to win sets one through four is now 25 (and a two-point lead). Fifteen points (and a two-point lead) is still the requirement to win the fifth (deciding) set.

Terminology. The term "game" will be changed to "set". A match still consists of the best three out of five sets.

Mean Green Classic Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 29:
UT Arlington vs. Jackson State (4:30 p.m.)
North Texas vs. Texas Tech (7 p.m.)

Saturday, Aug. 30:
UT Arlington vs. Texas Tech (11 a.m.)
North Texas vs. Jackson State (1:30 p.m.)
Texas Tech vs. Jackson State (4 p.m.)
UT Arlington vs. North Texas (7 p.m.)