Bryce Hayes
SEGUIN, Texas — For the first time in program history, the Texas Lutheran volleyball team earned the No. 3 ranking in the SCAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, as the league announced on Wednesday.
The Preseason Poll was determined by a vote of the league’s 11 head coaches.
Only Trinity, who returns 12 from last season’s national quarterfinal run, and Colorado College were picked ahead of Texas Lutheran in the Preseason Coaches Poll. Rounding out the top five behind the Bulldogs were St. Thomas and Southwestern. The conference’s two newcomers this year – McMurry and Concordia (TX) – were picked ninth and tenth, respectively.
On TLU’s 2024 Roster
Texas Lutheran returns 11 players from the 2023 season, including four starters. All-SCAC First Team senior setter Shavonne Respondek (San Antonio/Madison) and All-SCAC Second Teamers Faith Coldewey (Floresville/Floresville) and Brylie Nedd (Sealy/Sealy) return for their final year of eligibility along with senior setter Julia Chew (Cypress/Cy-Fair) for Phyllis Fowler’s seventh season as TLU’s head coach. The Bulldogs also welcome seven freshmen to the roster: Nadia Dunn (Houston/Pearland), Andie Lozano-Lomeli (Brownsville/Pace), Christa Moreno (San Antonio/Southside), Grace James (New Braunfels/Homeschool), Moriah Williams (San Antonio/Roosevelt), and Zaria Solis (Burnet/Burnet).
Texas Lutheran heads to San Antonio to kick off their 2024 campaign at the Trinity National Invitational from Aug. 30–31. TLU’s first matchup will be SUNY-Cortland on Friday at 12:15 followed by a match with the College of Saint Benedict at 6 PM. Texas Lutheran will close out its first weekend of play against East Texas Baptist on Saturday.
2024 SCAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll