Tarleton volleyball gears up for the 2024 season

BY LINDSEY HUGHES / Multimedia Journalist

The 2024 season of Women’s Volleyball is officially underway at Tarleton State University. Fans got the chance to show support for the players off the court as the team kicked off the season at the annual volleyball block party on Aug. 19. 

Tarleton will be hosting 10 themed home games this year. The season will begin with opening night, which will take place on Sept. 19 at Wisdom Gym against Oral Roberts. Spectators can score some swag in the form of mini volleyballs when showing their support for the Texans.

Several other notable upcoming themed games are Greek Night on the morning of Sept. 20 against Houston Christian and Bloktober on Oct. 3 against Seattle U. 

There are also several upcoming home games that will be themed for good causes and to raise awareness, including Education Day on Sept. 20 against Alcorn State, where Texans will welcome over 200 elementary students to the event. Pink Out/Dig for a Cure will take place on Oct. 26 against Utah Tech, in support of breast cancer awareness month.

Coach Mary Schindler has been the head volleyball coach at Tarleton for 20 years and has brought the Texans through 15 winning seasons during that time. Under her leadership, Tarleton women’s volleyball has reached new heights.

“I believe it should be fun. This is an opportunity. We get to do this, it’s not a requirement… Our job is to represent ourselves, the university, and the team in the best way possible. For me doing that is being the last team in the gym, the team with the best culture, the team that’s seen in the community, the team that is building relationships that are going to last a lifetime” Shindler said.

Coach Shindler made it clear that she has high hopes for many of the up-and-coming players on the team, both new recruits and incoming freshmen.

“We had a freshman come in last year who competed on the beach program, Tatum Busch. She came in early…she is going to be an athlete.” Shindler said. 

Longstanding Tarleton volleyball player Emma Halcomb also expressed excitement for the new season with her team after returning from a break last year. 

“This year is pretty exciting because I feel like our chemistry is really good off the court, so it translates well whenever we’re on the court,” Halcomb said.“Taking a year off last year really helped me gain confidence in myself, and because I am older I’ve realized that it’s only as stressful as you make it.”

The 2023 season was an exciting one, the purple and white made it to the WAC Tournament for the first time since becoming a Division I program. This year, with a team of almost evenly mixed new and returning players, Thr Texans are hoping to overcome any challenges they may face and go even further.