UT Permian Basin volleyball will open the 2019 season at home for the first time in recent memory as the Falcons host the 2019 Dr. Steve Aicinena Invitational presented by MCM Elegante.

The Falcons will host six matches over three days in a round-robin setting, hosting University of the Southwest, Westminster and Texas A&M International on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Live stats will be available for every match, and all six matches will have free live video through the Lone Star Conference Network.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Thursday
6 p.m. - UT Permian Basin vs. University of the Southwest  LIVE STATS  |   LIVE VIDEO

Friday
11 a.m. - University of the Southwest vs. Texas A&M International  LIVE STATS  |   LIVE VIDEO
1 p.m. - UT Permian Basin vs Westminster  LIVE STATS  |   LIVE VIDEO
4 p.m. - Westminster vs. University of the Southwest  LIVE STATS  |   LIVE VIDEO
6 p.m. - UT Permian Basin vs. Texas A&M International  LIVE STATS  |   LIVE VIDEO

Saturday
11 a.m. - Texas A&M International vs Westminster  LIVE STATS  |   LIVE VIDEO

The Falcons are looking to build off a strong 2018 that saw the team's first ever trip to the Lone Star Conference Championships and a pair of big wins at the end of the season over Angelo State and Tarleton State, the latter handing the Texans their only conference loss of the season.

A big part of the Falcons' success in 2019 will depend on a strong senior class. First Team All-Lone Star Conference middle hitter Skyler Friel and Third Team All-LSC middle hitter Travana Matthews return, along with starters libero Sarah Vasquez and setter Kiera Granado.

"It will start with Sarah and her passing and defense, Kiera setting the ball to our hitters and Skyler and Travana in the middle," said Head Coach Tim Loesch. "It's all about pass, set, hit and will start with those four. They'll definitely need some help and I expect our juniors and new additions will step up."

The Falcons have 10 returners from last season and add eight newcomers for 2019, a mix of five freshmen and three junior college transfers.  Coach Loesch anticipates all three transfers to hit the ground running and have strong roles as the season starts, but also sees his freshman finding roles this season.

"I expect our junior college transfers to come in right away and make an impact. They've played at the college level and they have the experience we need," said Loesch. "Isela Murillo will help with her outside hitting, ball control and defense. Erika Lozano with her defense and serving, and Cassidy Dolin as a middle or right side hitter will get us some blocks and kills up front.

"I also have big hopes for our freshmen. There's three or four that can win starting roles and help us out, but at the same time they're freshmen and as they're starting out it's harder to count on them. We're going to push them and hopefully a couple can step up this season and contribute like Aquincia Strambler and Analise Lucio last season."

A big change to 2019 will be the schedule and the teams the Falcons will play. With the Lone Star Conference expanding to 18 teams for volleyball, the conference will be broken into three different groups of six teams. The Falcons are placed in a group with West Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico, Western New Mexico, Angelo State, and Lubbock Christian. They will play each of those teams both home and away, and those 10 games will be the only games against LSC teams that will count as conference games. The 2019 schedule will see UTPB play eight more games against LSC opponents that will count as non-conference contests.

"In a way there's 10 games that matter most, but our team has set a goal to make it to the NCAA Tournament, so they all really matter," said Loesch. "Another goal is to win our Lone Star group. We want to win as many of those matches as we can to win a group title. They're our most important matches, but they're spread out through the season so you can't just get a good start to the year or only finish strong. We'll need to play hard early, develop and grow, and continue to play hard late in the season to win those 10 matches."

Another difference this season will see the Falcons opening the year on their home court. UTPB is hosting the Dr. Steve Aicinena Invitational Presented by MCM Elegante, and will play its first four matches of the season in Odessa.

"I am excited, but more importantly our players are really excited to start at home," said Loesch. "We're a good home team and they're thrilled to start at home. Last year we went nine hours away to play our first matches. It's great for our players, for our fans to get to see them right away as we look to start out strong and get some wins."