A new era is set to begin when the Sul Ross State volleyball program begins its season this weekend at the Dr. Steve Aicinena "Iceman" Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 12 in Odessa, Texas.

First-year head coach Annika Canaba, an Alpine, Texas native and former two-sport standout at Sul Ross State, takes the helm of the program over from her father, Troy Canaba.

Annika was an assistant coach last fall before being named the head coach earlier this summer.

The Lobos return 13 players back from last season while there are 10 newcomers on the roster.

Sul Ross State opens up competition by taking on UT Permian Basin at 5 p.m. CST before wrapping up with two matches on Friday against New Mexico Highlands and Southeast Oklahoma State.

>> THE LOBOS:

• Cassandra Espinoza, Tatyana Colon and Eliana Mata were named to the Lone Star Conference's Preseason Players to Watch list.
• Espinoza led the Lobos in kills last fall with 247.
• Mata played in 25 matches last season as a freshman recording a team-high 487 assists, the eighth highest assist mark during a single season in program history since 1997.
• Colon led the defense with 348 digs and 30 service aces last season.
• Brylee Sweeten helped the offense last season with 286 assists.
• Edie Coleman and Jayci Richters ranked second and third on the team last fall in total blocks with 33 and 29, respectively.
• Including the head coach, the program features three former Alpine High School athletes with sophomore Kiara Castillo and freshman newcomer Novah Carrasco.
• Of the 10 new players, three transferred in from Midland College.
• 14 players have ties to west Texas.
• The Lobos have only eight home games this season. The home opener is Friday, Sept. 27 against St. Edward's at 6 p.m. CST.
• Sul Ross State is trying to improve after going 9-16 overall last season.
• The Lobos are three years removed from their last winning season when they finished 15-10 overall (10-7 in American Southwest Conference play). That same season, Sul Ross State landed in the conference tournament semifinals.

>> SCOUTING THE FIELD:

• Sul Ross State's first opponent, UT Permian Basin, brings in a 2-2 record after opening the season at the Kathleen Brasfield Invitational in San Angelo, Texas.
• UTPB is coming off two straight wins over New Mexico Highlands and Emmanuel University.
• New Mexico Highlands is off to an 0-4 start after also beginning the season at the Kathleen Brasfield Invitational.
• Southeast Oklahoma State wrapped up the Reddie-Tiger Invitational in Arkadelphia, Ark. with a 1-3 record.
• The Lobos meet New Mexico Highlands and Southeast Oklahoma State for the first time in program history.
• Sul Ross State played UT Permian twice in 2011 and 2023.

>> WHAT THE COACH SAID:

"This year I think that our practices have been very competitive, very high energy and I feel like our team is getting along really well. One thing this year that we're trying to emphasize is being a good teammate, being there for each other and really supporting each other through and through. I think this team has really shown that energy and love towards each other. So, I'm excited to see what they do." — Annika Canaba on the high energy practices

"We have about 13 returners and 10 new girls. I think the returners are doing a really good job of bringing those other girls along and helping them out when they need it." — Annika Canaba on the returning players

>> WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID:

"I think everyone is expecting for us to fail and I think everyone places us at the bottom of this conference already going in from D-III to D-II, but with the talent, transfers, freshmen and the competitiveness that we've been playing with — we're all fired up to play in this new conference." — Brylee Sweeten

"I think it's looking really good. I think everyone's really excited for this season. We're holding each other to a high standard. Coach Anni is bringing in a  good culture to this program, so I think we're looking pretty good and I'm excited to play at the next level. We're all really motivated to play against these good programs. I think we can do something good. We're working hard and practices have been looking good. I'm expecting a lot of good things." — Tatyana Colon

GAME DETAILS
WHO: Sul Ross State (0-0) at UT-Permian Basin (2-2)
WHEN: Thursday Sept. 12 (5 p.m. CST)
WHERE: Falcon Dome | Odessa, Texas
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: https://utpbfalcons.com/sports/2024/9/5/2024-iceman-invitational.aspx
HOW TO WATCH: FloSports
LIVE STATS: https://utpbfalcons.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary