By: Mason Bua | Sports Writer

The Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions volleyball team returns to the court Sept. 6 against the St. Edwards Hilltoppers in the Reddie Tiger Invitational. The team will travel to Arkadelphia, Ark. for the invitational hosted by Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University.

The Lions will begin the year ranked No. 20 in the country by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Their ranking will be tested early, opening their season with eight consecutive road games before kicking off conference play against Texas A&M-Kingsville, Sept. 20 in The Field House.

The Lions will be looking to recapture the magic they found last season. The 2018 season saw them win 30 games, capture their second Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship, and advance to the Regional Championship round in the NCAA tournament.

The Lions volleyball team will begin their highly anticipated season against the St. Edwards Hilltoppers. The Hilltoppers finished last season with a record of 18-12, culminating in a second round loss in the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament.

After their match against the Hilltoppers, the Lions will take on Henderson State in the second game of their doubleheader. They play another doubleheader the following day against Ouachita and Mississippi College on Sept. 7.

Storylines to follow:

The annual Lone Star Conference poll was released in August and predicted the TAMUC Lions volleyball team would finish second in the Lone Star Conference. Their play in these non-conference games should give an indication of Lion’s form for conference play.

Keep an eye on these players: middle blocker Shelley Chapron, who was named preseason Defender of the Year in the LSC poll, returning LSC Freshman of the Year Celeste Vela, and Second Team All-LSC player Bina Njikam.