KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville volleyball team is set to begin its 2023 campaign this weekend hosting the TAMUK Invitational at the Steinke Physical Education Center beginning Friday morning with the Javelinas first match set for 11 a.m. against Ouachita Baptist. 

The invitational will feature teams from across Division II including Quincy, Tiffin, CSU Pueblo, Ouachita Baptist, and New Mexico Highlands with TAMUK facing all except Tiffin. 

The Blue and Gold enter 2023 under head coach Tanya Allen-Gonzalez predicted to finish third in the Lone Star Conference according to the league's preseason poll after going 20-10, 12-4 LSC last season. 

TAMUK enters the weekend looking to extend the program's home winning streak that stands at 10 matches dating back to the 2021 season. 

The Javelinas will be led by returning All-American, Ayanna Jackson who returns after a 2022 season that saw the junior middle blocker rank in the top-30 nationally in hitting percentage at .308 while logging 360 kills throughout the 2022 campaign. Additionally, she served as the Blue and Gold blocks leader, sending back 105 of the opposition's attacks over 112 sets for a 0.94 average.  

Fellow preseason player to watch Jackie Alanis returns for her senior season with the Javs looking to build on last season that saw her lead the team in kills with 387 while starting every match for TAMUK. 

Scouting Ouachita Baptist 

The Tigers come to Kingsville after being picked to finish 4th in the Great American Conference this season, while returning four starters from 2022. 

Last season, OBU went 19-12, 10-6 GAC advancing all the way to the semifinals of the GAC tournament. 

One player look out for from Ouachita is reigning GAC Freshman of the Year Riley Braziel. As an outside hitter in 2022, Braziel started all 31 matches for the Tigers leading the team in points with 351.5, kills with 300, and points per set at a mark of 3.41. 

Scouting CSU Pueblo 

The Thunderwolves enter the 2023 season picked to finish fifth in the RMAC's preseason poll while returning four starters from the 2022 squad that went 19-9, 12-6 RMAC, and qualified for the NCAA South Regional Tournament. 

The top returner for the Thunderwolves is sophomore outside hitter Payton Van Veen who was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and RMAC Freshman of the Year a season ago. The Springfield, Missouri native led CSU Pueblo in kills (293), kills per set (2.96), points (341), points per set (3.44) and was third in blocks with 73. She also hit .280 and had 18 matches with 10 or more kills, including a season-best 22 kills against Adams State. 

Another key returner is sophomore outside hitter Sadie Scoville (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleasant Grove), who was named an Honorable Mention All-RMAC selection after being second on the team in kills with 222. 

Scouting New Mexico Highlands 

The Cowgirls are looking to improve on their 7-19 overall record from 2022 which included a 3-0, loss to the Javelinas early in the season. 

They welcome back four returning players and 11 total newcomers for an overall young squad that does not feature a single senior on the roster. 

Scouting Quincy 

Out of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Quincy Hawks were picked to finish fourth in the league's preseason poll after a record breaking 2022 campaign. 

A year ago, the Hawks posted a program best 28-3 record with an 11-1 conference record to earn co-champion honors. 

The Hawks also earned the program's first win the NCAA Tournament, sweeping Northern Michigan. 

They will have to replace several top players that have now graduated though, with much younger squad for 2023 that only features one senior and two graduate students. 

Scouting Tiffin 

The only school TAMUK will not face in the invitational, the Dragons enter a new era in 2023 with new head coach Alexa Wharton. 

In 2022, the Dragons posted a 15-17 (8-9 G-MAC) record including a win in their conference tournament quarterfinals over Ashland. 

The Tiffins will look to juniors Taylor Peterson and Wakaya Wilson to lead the way this season offensively as the pair led the team in kills combining for 584. 

Full TAMUK Invitational Schedule 

Friday - 9/1 

Fans can follow Javelina volleyball all season long via Javelinaathletics.com, where they'll find links to live video and stats and a recap at the end of each match. Stay up-to-date with everything related to Javelina volleyball all season long by following @Javelina_VB and @JavelinaSports on X, @JavelinaVB and @JavelinaSports on Instagram, liking TAMUK Volleyball on Facebook, subscribing to the Javelina Athletics YouTube Channel and visiting Javelinaathletics.com