Sept. 9, 2009

Three familiar faces and three returnees will join nine new Lady Broncs on the court for the 2009 campaign as they compete for the program's first-ever Great West Conference championship.

As the 2009 season is well underway, third-year head coach Angela Hubbard embarks on new beginnings beginning with the joining of the Great West Conference along with a recruiting class consisting of nine new members on the Lady Broncs volleyball squad.

"The one thing I am looking forward too is the start of conference to see where we stand competitively," said head women's volleyball coach Angela Hubbard. "We have faced our competition on numerous occasions and now we will be able to see who the best is."

The Lady Broncs will look to top returning players Rebecca Toddy, Marci Logan and Noelle Mayor. Toddy and Mayor will enter their final season donning the Bronc green and orange as they bring three years of experience to the court, while Logan adds another two.

The three will return to their respective positions as libero and outside hitters and will be expected to take on the leadership role on and off the court.

"The girls know exactly what I want and what I expect of them, being with them two seasons now. They are ready to take the next step to be successful and win," said Hubbard of her three top returning players.

"We have faced our conference-foes numerous times, so the girls have had time to study their competition. I want the girls to welcome in the newcomers and keep them on track. I know these girls have the ability to step in a position and do the things necessary to be successful on and off the court."

The Lady Broncs will also see the return of Charity Cucancic, Cassandra Trevino and Jimena Gandara. Cucancic and Trevino bring two years of experience, while Gandara enters her second season with the Lady Broncs. As the only returning middle blocker, Gandara is expected to see time on the court, but at the same time compete for a spot as mostly everyone will.

"Jimena has spent a season with me and trained hard for her position. She did a great job competing for us last season and I think she's ready to take that next step," added Hubbard.

"Charity has watched Chelsea (Blakely), in her time with the program, and I hope she pushes the new setters and mentors them while competing at the same time. Cassandra has improved greatly in her time with us and plays a great defensive role and I think she's ready to take on that role."

The women's volleyball program will introduce nine new members to the squad with one reining from a Division I institute, four from junior colleges and the last four as incoming freshman.

"We've actually signed nine girls to our roster," said Hubbard. "We've replaced everyone and then some. We added some depth to our lineup that we needed for the last two years."

Of the nine additions to the roster, two will be competing for time as a setter with Ariana Bermea (Laredo, TX / Laredo Community College) and Rita Gonzalez (Phoenix, AZ / Phoenix College); two at the middle position with Sarah Davis (Murrieta, CA / Calvary Murrieta Christian) and Kameo Pena (Los Lunas, NM / Univ. of New Mexico); four at the outside hitter position with Meghan Fichtel (Corpus Christi, TX / Hill Junior College), Ijanae Holman (Niceville, FL / Niceville HS), Kaitlin Vasquez (Garland, TX / Paris Junior College) and Krissy Perez (Zapata, TX / Zapata HS); and one at the libero position with Kristi Garcia (McAllen, TX / Nikki Rowe HS).

Ariana Bermea and Rita Gonzalez each join the program with two years of experience under their belts.

"Ari would be making her way up the lineup with her great work ethic. She's super athletic and focused," said Hubbard. "Rita is one of those people that make those around her better. She's super competitive and I think that she and Ari compliment one another."

In the middle position, the Lady Broncs will see Sarah Davis and Kameo Pena competing for a spot on the lineup. Pena red-shirted her freshman campaign at the University of New Mexico.

"Kameo had some great training under some great coaches. She'll come in either as a middle or right side, but she will help with the needed depth in the lineup," Hubbard said. "Sarah should see some quality time on the court with her height and talent. She came from a great club in California and is quick at her position."

The outside hitter position will see the most faces with four new additions fighting for a spot. Meghan Fichtel and Kaitlin Vasquez are the only two of the four with experience as Fichtel and Vasquez spent two seasons each at Hill and Paris Junior College, respectively.

"Each Meghan and Kaitlin has what it takes to play their position. Meghan is a solid, well-rounded outside hitter that puts up a great block with a heavy swing," says Hubbard. Kaitlin is a solid six-rotation player. She's a finesse player who knows the game very well."

"Ijanae Holman is another great six-rotation player. She's super athletic and brings focus and athleticism to the program. She's used to winning so she knows what it takes to win. Krissy brings enthusiasm and passion to the game. She loves the sport and genuinely cares about the program and UTPA."

The Lady Broncs will add one more libero to the roster with the addition of Kristi Garcia. Garcia will train under Rebecca Toddy for the most part.

"Kristi has this feistiness about her that she brings to the court. She has the ability to step into this position and take over at some point," said Hubbard of the new libero.

Alongside to the addition of the nine women, the Lady Broncs will feature a schedule with seven home matches on Sam Williams Court at the UTPA Fieldhouse. The women will open five days earlier from last season and will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Lady Broncs have not faced the Lady Islanders since Hubbard's inaugural season when the Lady Broncs defeated TAMUCC, 3-0 at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

"Corpus is one team I am looking forward in facing. We haven't faced them since we defeated them in `07. They are a new team with a new coach, but it's great competition and a great rivalry," added Hubabrd.

One match that will surely draw a big crowd is the Sept. 2 match against UT-Brownsville. The Lady Broncs have only faced the Lady Scorpions once, in 2007, where the Lady Broncs defeated UTB 3-2 at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

"That match can be scary, but I enjoy the atmosphere it draws. They also have a new coach and team, which makes me nervous, but excited at the same time," said Hubbard.

In Hubbard's tenure at UTPA, the Lady Broncs have never had a single home game in the month of September. Last season, the Lady Broncs opened at home with the UTPA Tri-Match and then hit the road.

This season, the Lady Broncs scheduled three home matches in the month of September and hit the road for the next nine, including three of those matches at the McNeese State Invitational (Sept. 11-12).

In their first season competing for a title, the Lady Broncs begin conference play on Sept. 17 as they women face South Dakota.

"Being on the road for most of September, the girls won't be as exhausted for the Great West Conference Tournament (Nov. 19-21). Our last two matches will be held at home so that gives us a bit of an advantage," added Hubbard. The 2009 campaign kicks off into full force this fall and Hubbard along with second-year assistant coach Laura De La Fuente expect great things from the Lady Broncs this season.