| DATE |
Time |
OPPONENT |
LOCATION |
VENUE |
| Friday, Sept. 8 |
10 a.m. MST
2:00 p.m MST |
Lewis
#6 MSU Denver |
Denver, Colorado |
Auraria Event Center |
CANYON, Texas – The No. 1 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs are headed to the Mile High City to compete in the 2023 Colorado Premier Challenge hosted by MSU Denver and Regis. WT will take on Lewis and #6 MSU Denver on Friday, Sept. 8 afternoon while Saturday's opponents will be determined at the conclusion of Friday's play.
LIVE COVERAGE
Live stats and live stream will be available for viewers during the entire tournament provided by the MSU Denver and Regis' Athletic Communication departments.
The Lady Buffs will play on the center court of the Auraria Event Center on Friday where live stream can be found
HERE.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
(RV) Lewis (Sept. 8 | 10 AM MST)
The Lewis Flyers are coming off of a 3-1 start to the 2023 season with their first loss against Seattle Pacific. The Flyers, led by head coach Loralee Smith in her 17th season, finished the 2022 season as the GLVC runner-ups after losing 3-2 in the championship match against evetual final four opponent St. Louis-Missouri.
Returning for the Flyers is senior outside hitter, Megan Schlechte, who is an All-GLVC second team selection. Schlechte is leading the Flyers in kills (53) and kills per set (4.39). Senior opposite Juliana Van Loo is trailing behind Schlechte in kills (44) and kills per set (3.32). The Flyers are receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25 national poll.
#6 MSU Denver (Sept. 8 | 1 PM MST)
The MSU Denver Roadrunners are 3-1 to start the 2023 season with one dropped match against #9 Cal State San Bernardino in a 3-2 finish. The Roadrunners, led by head coach Jenny Glenn in her eighth season, were last matched up against WT in the 2022 South Central championship match that saw the Lady Buffs win in 3 sets to move onto the Elite Eight.
MSU is returning junior AVCA third team All- American outside hitter, Riley Anderson who is currently leading the roadrunners in kills (61) and kills per set (4.36). Senior AVCA first team All-American Rylee Hladky is trailing behind Anderson in kills (35) and kills per set (2.92). Senior middle blocker Ember Canty is leading the Roadrunners in blocks with 19.
COLORADO PREMIER CHALLENGE
The Premier Challenge has been hosted by Regis and MSU Denver since 1996. This is the second year in a row that the Lady Buffs have been invited to compete in the prestigious tournament after over a decade absense.
The 12 teams invited this year combined to go 307-82 for a 78.9% win percentage while three team advanced to the final four, Wayne State, Concordia St. Paul and the WT Lady Buffs.
Eight of the 12 teams are nationally ranked entering the weekend, including the #1 Lady Buffs, #2 Concordia St. Paul, #3 Wayne State, #6 MSU Denver, #13 West Florida, #16 Cal State L.A., #19 Regis and #22 Western Washington.
Ten of the 2023 Colorado Premiere teams made the 2022 NCAA Division II National Tournament. Between the teams, there were six players named AVCA first team All-Americans for the 2022 season and a total of 28 player that earned All-American honors between first, second and honorable mention.
At last years tournament
Torrey Miller and
Taytum Stow were named to the Colorado Premiere Challenge All-Tournament team.
LAST TIME OUT
The Lady Buffs started off the season 4-0 with only one dropped set on their home court at the BritKare Lady Buff Classic. The Lady Buffs competed against East Central, Adams State, St. Mary's and Davenport in the two day tournament.
Torrey Miller was voted Most Valuable Player of the BritKare Classic with teammates,
Bryli Contreras and
Ainsley Malis being seleted to the All-Tournament team.
AROUND THE LONE STAR
West Texas A&M Lady Buffs are currently the only Lone Star Conference team ranked in the Top 25 national poll and sit at the #1 spot. UT Tyler is receiving votes and is one of four teams at the Colorado Premiere Challange not ranked but receiving votes. Dallas Baptist and Angelo State are also receiving votes.
WE'RE NUMBER 1!
For the first time in 22 years, the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs enter the 2023 season ranked #1 following the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division II Preseason Poll.
PRESEASON HONORS
Three Lady Buffs received preseason honors as senior
Torrey Miller was voted as the LSC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while sophomore
Taytum Stow was voted as LSC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and junior
Blair Moreland was named a Preseason Player to Watch.
UP NEXT
Following the Colorado Premier Challenge, the Lady Buffs will continue preseason play by hosting the LSC Crossover on Sept. 14, 15 and 16. The LSC tournament is held annually with the top teams out of four hosting the three day event. This will be the Lady Buffs first time hosting the LSC Crossover for the top four finishers of the 2022 season.
FOLLOW THE LADY BUFFS
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Lady Buff action on online and on social media. Follow the Lady Buffs on Twitter (@WTVolleyball), Instagram (@ladybuffvolleyball), and Facebook (@West Texas A&M Volleyball).
