HOUSTON -- You sign a scholarship at a university almost 1,000 miles from home, and where do you play your first college volleyball match? Practically in your own backyard.

Such is the perk for Bethune-Cookman volleyball players as the eyes of Texas will be upon them this weekend as the 2019 season opens at the Houston Baptist Barcelona Sports Classic. Six Lady Wildcats are from Texas, including two making their collegiate debut.

Of course, it helps that fifth-year Head Coach Brittany Williams hails from Houston and has a recruiting network so strong that there may be moments all the Lady Wildcats on the court will hail from the Lone Star State.

 It'll make for a memorable weekend, especially with a lot of family and friends in the stands.

"My mom has told everyone, even people we hardly know are going to be there," said freshman Alleah Dallas (Is that a fitting name or what?) who prepped at Houston Kempner High School. "I'm excited.
Playing at home will help me. Once we get in an actual game, I think I will be fine.

"I know I'm going to miss [Texas] when I leave," Dallas added.

Freshman Bailey Robinson's family is from Ft. Worth – about four hours away, but she's expecting her own cheering section as well.

"I feel like my family is a lucky charm," Robinson said. "It's making me want to play better."  

Junior Faith Landreneaux is from Carthage, Tex.  and can testify about how the extra incentive can pay off – last year against Texas Southern at Sam Houston State, she had a career high seven aces as BCU posted a 3-1 victory for its first season opening victory since 2006.

"I don't get to see my family much, so this is a big deal," said Landreneaux.

Both Robinson and Landeneaux testified about the quality of high school volleyball in the state, claiming that the sport is as competitive as football – if that's possible.

"Well, everything is bigger and better in Texas," Landreneaux quipped.

Also from Texas: Shayla Eugene (Ft. Worth), Ryleigh Taylor (The Colony) and Jordan Jefferson (San Antonio).

BCU will face Houston Baptist and Texas Rio Grande Valley Friday and Radford Saturday.

NOTES:  BCU is 3-11 on opening weekend in the Williams era … Saturday is Williams' birthday and BCU is 1-1 on her birthday … Houston Baptist is the only team BCU has faced before, the hosts lead the series 1-0…HBU was 16-16 last season and advanced to the Southland Conference tournament semifinals … Texas RGV was 22-9 in 2018 and plays in the Western Athletic Conference … Radford (22-6) advanced to the Big South Conference championship match – bowing to High Point – and then won its opening match in the volleyball NIT before losing to Clemson.