Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Story:

Sul Ross State University finished the home volleyball schedule as they began-with a victory-and in the process gained their second post-season tournament berth in 3 years.  (2006 Season Stats)

Sweeps over West Division Champion Texas Lutheran and Schreiner vaulted the Lady Lobos into third place. Coach Rick Garcia’s team would face the University of Texas at Dallas in the first round of the American Southwest Conference Tournament in Seguin where Sully dropped a 3-1 contest sending the Lady Lobos home and UTD to the second round.

“We regarded our momentum as just the right time,” Garcia said, whose teams have posted a 69-54 record through the past 4 seasons.

“Any team can stumble but getting back up and playing well at crucial times is a mark of true character. We have taken another step forward in building this program and we will try to continue the progress for 2007.

The Lady Lobos ended their season on a 14-18 note including a 10-8 conference record. Last year’s conference tournament appearance marked the second time in the last 3 seasons that Sul Ross has reached post season competition.

The Lady Lobos will miss the service of departing seniors Raeanne Villalva and Iliana Castro. Castro posted 297 kills her senior season narrowly missing the 300-kill mark while Villalva posted 293. Villalva posted a team high 431 digs while Castro collected 376.

Lopez and Valenciana will return to help solidify the front court along with Stacy Macias. Macias supplied a third team best 223 kills while Lopez collected 864 assists at the setter spot. Lyndi Cypher and Jennifer Harder will add extra depth to the back court.

“Our seniors and provided leadership and our young players made some big strides during the season,” Garcia said. “We achieved one goal of reaching the conference tournament. We also realized what it takes to be successful in tournament competition and reaching that level will be a major goal for next year.”