March 20, 2008

WACO, Texas - The Baylor volleyball team will open its spring season as it hosts a tournament at the McLane Student Life Center on March 29. The tournament is the first of three for the Bears, two of which will be played in Waco.

Baylor's first spring tournament on March 29 will feature competition against UT-Arlington, Stephen F. Austin and SMU, among others. The tournament will begin at 9:15 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. The Bears will travel to Houston, Texas for the annual Texas Tornado Club tournament on April 12 against Florida, Southern California, LSU and Penn State, among other participating teams.

The Bears return home for their final spring tournament of the season at the SLC on April 26. Baylor will square off against UT-Arlington and UT-San Antonio, as well as selected other squads.

"Our spring schedule is a very challenging one that will help our team continue to improve," said head coach Jim Barnes. "It will also be exciting to see who solidifies their starting positions and what areas we need to improve on the most. Our returning players are a very strong core group and we expect to be a contending Top 25 team this year."

Baylor will also look forward to the spring signing period which begins April 9. Barnes expects to sign one of Baylor's top classes in program history. Complete coverage of signing day and player bios will be available as national letters of intent are received.