LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team will rev up the 2023 season in the Lone Star State at the Midwestern State Invitational from Wichita Falls, Texas. 

Over the two-day tournament, UWA will face Central Oklahoma, who is receiving votes in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, and the hosts on Friday. Western Colorado and Eastern New Mexico will be the opponents on Saturday. 

For head coach John Schmidt, who enters his second season at the helm of the volleyball squad, he recently completed his first recruiting class. Nine newcomers and one transfer join the Tigers. 

In addition to the newcomers to the roster, Nathalia Medeiros was named the graduate assistant coach for the volleyball team during the summer. The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil native had 437 kills during her playing career at UWA, averaging a little over two kills per set. On the reception, she tallied 75 digs. 

Depth was exactly what the doctor ordered for the team in 2023, as they are looking to improve on a six-win season. With the program's top-two hitters covering 41% of the kills last season, the new faces will step onto the court right away to prove themselves. 

One of West Alabama's top returners is Ally Craig. The senior from Ringgold, Ga. posted 226.5 points thanks to 182 kills, 39 total blocks and 20 aces.

On the front row, expect to see the hops on Johanna Martin and Amelia Johnigan, as they picked up 145 of the team's 171.5 blocks in 2022. Johnigan also was a threat at the serve, collecting 37 aces. 

Along with a tough Gulf South Conference schedule, UWA will participate once again in the annual South Region Crossover between the GSC and the Sunshine State Conference (SSC). The SSC will be hosting the event in 2023, and it will take place on Oct. 20-21 from Orlando, Florida.