ADA – The East Central University volleyball team will open the 2018 season at the Kathleen Brasfield Invitational hosted by Angelo State, Aug. 24-25 at Stephens Arena in the Junell Center.  The Tigers will open the year against Arkansas-Fort Smith, Friday, Aug. 24 at 8 a.m.  ECU will then face St. Mary's at 4 p.m. Aug 24, Angelo State at 12 p.m. Aug 25 and Texas A&M Kingsville at 4 p.m. Aug. 25.

Kathleen Brasfield Invitational Tournament Page

The Tigers return just one starter from the 2017 season, but have 10 returners overall after finishing 7-24 overall and 2-14 in the Great American Conference.  The lone returning starter for ECU is senior Karina Erreguin, who tallied 190 kills, 57 (8-49) blocks, 53 digs and 15 service aces.

UAFS has won six-straight Heartland Conference titles and was picked to finish first in the league again this season.  The Lady Lions have eight returners from 2017 when they finished 36-7 overall and 11-1 in league play.  Anna Demmer is the top returner and was the Heartland Player of the Year in 2017, with 455 kills and 45 service aces.

St. Mary's is coming off a 2017 season where they advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional and went 19-12 overall and 9-3 in the Heartland.  Bree Perry will be leading the team on the court again after tallying 1,101 assists, 285 digs, 22 block assists, 25 service aces and 46 kills in 2017.

The host Belles have eight returners (four starters) for 2018 after going 21-10 overall and 13-7 in the Lone Star Conference in 2017.  Meghan Parker averaged 9.54 assists per match, while Morgan Seaton tallied 224 kills to lead the returners.

TAMUK returns just two starters and players from the 2017 season, when they finished 21-12 overall and 13-7 in the LSC.  Madison Brabham is the LSC Preseason Player of the Year for 2018 after earning All-LSC First Team honors in 2017 and recording 336 kills, 110 digs and 70 blocks.