Volleyball Team Begins Practice

August 15, 2006

Weatherford, OK - The Southwestern Oklahoma State volleyball team began officially preparing for its 2006 season last week with twice daily practices that are scheduled to run until the Saturday, Aug. 19.

Second-year coach Bo Pagliasotti welcomed a total of 16 players to pre-season workouts, including 13 back from last year’s inaugural squad that ended the year at 5-27.

All of Bulldogs top weapons from last year return including middle blocker Kasandra Gurtner, the team leader in kills, blocks and hitting percentage and middle blocker Tennessee Brown, an honorable mention Lone Star Conference North Division selection a year ago. Other top returners include outside hitter Paula Harry, setter Tiffany Shedrock and libero Amanda Ortega.

The Bulldogs begin the season Friday, Aug. 25th at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Fall Classic against Northern State, S.D. in a 10 a.m. game. The Bulldogs will then play at 4:45 p.m. that same day against Minnesota-Crookston. SWOSU will conclude its tournament play Saturday against the host, UNK, at 12:15 p.m. and later that afternoon at 4:45 p.m. against Wayne State, Neb.

SWOSU’s first home game is Aug. 29th against Dallas Baptist at 7 p.m. in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse.