August 24, 2012

COMMERCE, Texas – With the 2012-13 A&M-Commerce athletic season on the horizon, Lion fans can get their first look at the A&M-Commerce volleyball team when the Lions host their annual Blue vs. Gold scrimmage at the Field House Monday, August 27 beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free to all fans.

"This is something we started last year and it proved to be a phenomenal success, so it was something we knew we had to do this year as well," said head coach Craig Case. "The players loved it because it gave them a chance to simulate a real match and get that competitive vibe going. The fans loved it because it gave them a chance to meet the players on the team and get a sneak peek as to what to expect in the upcoming year. We wanted to do it the first night of classes to give the A&M-Commerce student body a nice welcome back to campus and get them pumped for the season as well."

The 2012 A&M-Commerce volleyball team will be split into two squads and will simulate everything that goes into a typical match – everything from the warm-up to the anthem to the starting lineups. The teams will play sets to 25, followed by a chance for players to meet the team, take pictures and get autographs.

It will be a great kickoff to the start of the 2012-13 as Lion fans will get their chance to see volleyball, soccer and football in action for the first time. Soccer opens up its season with their home opener against Ouachita Baptist on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Lion Soccer Field, followed by football's season opener against Southeastern Oklahoma State Saturday at 6 p.m.

Volleyball opens up their season on the road with a pair of non-conference tournaments, beginning August 31^st and September 1^st at the Henderson State Tournament in Arkadelphia, Ark. A&M-Commerce's first home match of the season will be Tuesday, September 18 when the Lions host Lone Star Conference rival Texas Woman's at 7 p.m. at the Field House.

LIONS ADD JULIA CARLO TO COACHING STAFF

Case bolstered the Lion staff heading into the 2012-13, adding Julia Carlo as an assistant coach. Carlo brings with her a wealth of experience both as a head coach and an assistant at both the Division I and Division II levels.

"We are extremely excited about Julia coming on board with our team," Case said. "The experience she bring will hopefully help our players achieve the goals we have set for the year. She has been a key component of our preseason workouts and I'm looking forward to working with her throughout the year."

Carlo comes to A&M-Commerce from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was an assistant coach for two seasons with the Bulldogs. She was also an assistant coach at Rutgers University for two seasons prior to joining the staff at Drake.

Carlo served as the head volleyball coach at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, from 2003-05, leading the Peacocks to a program record for most wins in a season. She started her coaching career at Alma College in Alma, Mich., serving as an assistant coach for three seasons.

She also has experience at the high school level, serving as an assistant coach while helping guide a pair of schools to the state championship, while adding a wealth of interscholastic and junior olympic experience. During her career, she has been a part of two conference championships and has coached nine All-Conference players while 22 others earned All-Academic honors.

Carlo earned her bachelor of arts in English and communication from Alma College and was a member of the volleyball team, serving as team captain. She is married to Casey Carlo, who is the defensive line coach for the A&M-Commerce football team.