BEAUMONT, Texas – The Prairie View A&M University Lady Panthers will look to kick off their 2022 season in style when they take on Idaho State for their first match of the two day event at the Katrinka Crawford Invitational hosted by Lamar.  The match is slated for 10 a.m. Friday from the McDonald Gym in Beaumont.

Excited about getting the season started after two-a-day practices, Head Volleyball Coach TaCho Tyler and her team have geared up and headed to Beaumont for their first test of the 2022 season.

"I am excited about getting the season started," Tyler said.  "I am excited about playing an actual opponent and not each other so that I can see where we are as a team.  I feel like we had a really successful and productive camp and we are really meshing well together."

The Lady Panthers only returned seven members from the 2021 season four of which were starters.  PV has nine freshman on the team that will probably get an opportunity to get their first taste of collegiate action right away.

PVAMU will only play three games out of a five tournament team starting with the Bengals of the Big Sky Conference that will be looking to rebound from last year's 7-21 record.  The Lady Panthers will try to bounce back after completing their season with an 8-26 overall record and 7-10 in conference play.

Following the matchup versus Idaho State PV will face Southeastern Louisiana of the Southland Conference.  Last season the Lady Lions will enter the 4 p.m. match after finishing the 2021 season with a 9-18 overall record.

"We should matchup pretty well with most of the teams in this tournament," said Tyler.  "This team hustles, and I think in order for to win we will have to make adjustments quickly when you play teams like Idaho, Southeastern La. and Tulane.  We will have quite a bit of freshman playing this weekend, so we will see after we get through the first set.  We are just excited about this group and excited to get this started."

Despite of all the experience, Tyler acknowledges that there is always more to learn.

"This weekend will be learning experience for all of us," said Tyler.  "I'm just excited to play a different team and see where we stand as a team, especially with the skill level these ladies have."

PV will conclude the invite on Sunday at 10 a.m. with a bout versus Tulane.  The Green Wave finished the 2021 season with an 18-14 (.562) campaign and went 11-9 in American Athletic Conference play to finish sixth overall.

Keep up with all the latest news and information for PVAMU athletics by following pvpanthers.com as well as through Twitter via the PVAMU general sports account (@PVAMUPanthers). You can also follow along on Instagram.com/pvamupanthers.