UTEP, Norfolk State, Texas Southern, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Face Off At Memorial

EL PASO, Texas (August 24, 2009) - The Fifth Annual Sun Bowl Volleyball Invitational kicks off this weekend at UTEP's Memorial Gym, as UTEP, Norfolk State, Texas Southern and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi face off on Friday and Saturday.

"This tournament is really starting to blossom," said Sun Bowl Association executive director Bernie Olivas. "Five years ago, we were looking for an avenue to support women's collegiate athletics in the same manner we do for the men. This really is an opportunity to promote El Paso to the visiting teams and their communities and enhance collegiate volleyball."

The tournament begins play Friday at 5 p.m. when Norfolk State takes on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which is followed by Texas Southern and UTEP at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gym. There are four matches Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets to the event are $5 per day, with groups rates available.

Norfolk State University is led by third-year head coach Jennifer Fry, who has led the Spartans to improvement in each of the last two seasons.  Norfolk State, who is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, is projected to finish fourth in the league's Southern Division. The Virginia-based squad features five Texans, led by Channelview's Breanna Allums, who led the team in kills (2.35) and was second in digs (1.97) last season.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is under the direction of first-year head coach Anthony Graystone. The Islanders, who are members of the Southland Conference, is projected to finish sixth in the league's West Division. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is a in a rebuilding year, as the team features four juniors and no seniors. The Islanders are led by Indiana native Jessica Korda, who was third on the team in kills (2.24) and blocks (30).

Texas Southern University is led by 15th-year head coach Dr. Dwalah Fisher. The Tigers, who are members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, are projected to finish fourth in the league's Western Division. Texas Southern is another youth-based squad, as the Tigers have no seniors and four juniors on the team. TSU is led by Ashlee Cooper, who led the team in kills (2.50) and blocks (1.33) last season and El Paso Franklin's Emma Obi, who averaged 1.68 kills per game last season.

UTEP is led by fourth-year head coach Ken Murphy, who has seen his team steadily improve in each of the last three seasons. The Miners, who are members of Conference USA, are led by junior preseason All-CUSA selection Amy Sanders and senior Catherine Chavez. Sanders led the team in kills (3.37) and aces (44) last season, while Chavez was second on the squad kills (2.80) and digs (2.94).

FIFTH ANNUAL SUN BOWL VOLLEYBALL INVITATIONAL

Friday, August 28
5 p.m.   Norfolk State vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
7 p.m.   Texas Southern vs. UTEP

Saturday, August 29
10 a.m. Texas Southern vs. Norfolk State
Noon     UTEP vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
5 p.m.   Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Texas Southern
7 p.m.   Norfolk State vs. UTEP