Tammy Luksich
Sports Editor

WTAMU Lady Buff Volleyball finished the Britkare Lady Buff Classic Tournament with an untarnished 5-0 record. WT defeated Texas Permian Basin, Nova Southeastern, Grand Valley State, Western New Mexico and Lubbock Christian for the title.

Three Lady Buffs walked away with All-Tournament Honors, seniors Katie Rickwartz and Melissa Harper were named as All-Tournament recipients, alongside Laura Prinsen who was awarded the tournament MVP.

The Lady Buffs began the season with new leadership from Jason Skoch, head coach. Skoch replaced Tony Graystone after Graystone accepted a similar coaching position at Texas A&M-Commerce in February.

Skoch hails from Kirksville, Mo., where he led the Truman State Lady Bulldogs to four-consecutive top 10 rankings in the AVCA polls.

During his time at Truman State, Skoch compiled a 137-22 record (.861), made five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and developed 11 All-American student-athletes.

Now, Skoch is looking to do the same thing at WT by preparing the team for future opponents.

“He [Skoch] has such high expectations for us,” Melissa Harper, senior middle blocker said. “Practice is always intense. Therefore the games aren’t as stressful.”

Teaching the team new techniques may be challenging for a new coach, but that process seems easier for Skoch with added support from the team. “This group of girls is very competitive,” Skoch said. “They handled the change really well and they’re just good people.”

Last season, the Lady Buffs completed the season with an overall record of 34-5. They recorded a perfect 15-0 record at home and finished 13-0 in the Lone Star Conference, nabbing the LSC title for the third-consecutive season.

Now, it seems as though the Lady Buffs are at it again. “It always gives a confidence winning games at home,” Harper said. “We played some highly ranked teams this weekend and we were able to get the win.”

The Lady Buffs will look to get another series of victories Sept. 4-5 as they travel to the Colorado Premiere Tournament in Denver, Colo. facing Fort Lewis College in the first round.