TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler volleyball will begin their season on September 4^th against Ferris State inside the HPC as part of the 2025 Patriot Classic.
 
A LOOK BACK
 
Last season, the Patriots made their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. They played to an 18-9 record during the regular season and went 14-2 in the LSC regular season. That qualified them to the LSC Tournament, where they made an appearance in the semifinals before bowing out. They also earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, falling to #2 seed West Texas A&M in the opening round.
 
The Patriots were led in a big way by Kota Hartman, who went on to be the LSC Newcomer of the Year and earn All-LSC First Team honors. Also joining Hartman in the returning group are All-LSC honorees Saige Rivera, Autumn Perry, and Makhai Lewis.
 
CLOSING THE YEAR STRONG
 
"At the start of the season we were trying to figure out the right lineup and a group that played with great chemistry," head coach Lyndsay Mashe said. "We had so many new players, and it took some time to develop that. The team was never satisfied with the way we started and showed grit and determination to turn it around!"
 
A STRONG CORE RETURNING
 
"I am excited to have such a strong core coming back. It's hard to replace the players we lost to graduation, but it's a great opportunity for others to step in to those roles and help us reach our goals. When you have this many players returning the expectations are high and we are pumped to get back in the gym and see this group go to work!"
 
KEY NEWCOMERS
 
"We have seven freshman we are adding to the team. They are a very talented group, and we are excited to get them in the gym with our returners and really watch them develop and turn into the players we think they can be."
 
A TOUGH SCHEDULE
 
"Our schedule is for sure one of the toughest in the nation. Our first tournament of the year we start off with Ferris State and Central Oklahoma who should both be in the preseason Top 10 in the nation. We travel to Angelo State and WT twice to go along with the rest of the LSC schedule. I am looking forward to seeing our team rise to the challenge of our schedule!"
 
HOSTING THE PATRIOT CLASSIC
 
"Being on the home floor to start the season is something we are excited about. We have a great record in our gym, so hopefully that will help us with getting off to a good start. Our travel schedule will be difficult, so being able to get a tournament with 4 matches at home is really big. There is nothing like playing in front of your own fans and we have great support here!  I would expect that first weekend the gym will be packed!"
 
The 2025 Patriot Classic beginning on September 4th will see the Patriots face off with Ferris State, Central Oklahoma, Ouachita Baptist, and Mississippi College over three days of action to begin the year. The next week, the Patriots head to the TWU Volleyfest to take on Texas Woman's, Arkansas Monticello, and Arkansas Tech over just two days of action on September 12^th and 13^th. The final non-conference action will be in the LSC Challenge on September 18^th and 19^th against West Texas A&M and Angelo State.
 
The LSC slate begins September 27^th as the Patriots take on Oklahoma Christian at home. They then alternate away and home again against St. Edward's and UT Dallas on September 30^th and October 4^th before taking on a weekend road trip against UT Permian Basin and Angelo State on October 10^th and 11^th.
 
The Patriots return home October 17^th and 18^th against Lubbock Christian and Midwestern State, but then hit the road for a three match road trip from October 24^th through the 28^th as they take on West Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico, and St. Mary's.
 
The program will then play four of their last six matches at home, beginning with a home weekend against Sul Ross State and Western New Mexico on October 31^st and November 1^st. They hit the road for the last time against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International on November 7^th and 8^th and then come back to the HPC to finish the regular season against Texas Woman's and DBU on November 14^th and 15^th.