UT Volleyball

Even with the loss of megastar Destinee Hooker, the University of Texas volleyball team enters the season ranked No. 3 by NCAA.com and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. It'll be tough to follow last season's 29-2 NCAA Final run, but seniors Juliann Faucette (pictured), Jennifer Doris, and Lauren Dickson hope to pick up where last year's squad left off. The Horns are hosting not one but two tourneys in the upcoming weeks, starting this Friday with the Burnt Orange Classic (with TCU, Houston, and McNeese State), and followed by the Texas Invitational (featuring Florida A&M, Long Beach State, and Illinois). Illinois starts the season ranked in the Top 10 and should be a good test for the Hooker-less Horns. Fans can buy a special bundle pack for Friday's match against TCU for $4, which includes a general admission ticket, one free popcorn, and a coupon for a match-night discount on merchandise. Good luck, ladies.

Burnt Orange Classic Aug. 27-28: Friday: TCU vs. Houston, noon. Houston vs. McNeese State, 4pm. TCU Vs. UT, 6:30pm. Saturday: McNeese Vs. UT, noon. TCU vs. McNeese, 4pm. Houston vs. UT, 6:30pm.

Texas Invitational Sept. 2-4: Thursday, 6:30pm: Florida A&M vs. UT. Friday: Long Beach State vs. Florida A&M, 4pm. UT vs. Illinois, 6:30pm. Saturday: Illinois vs. Florida A&M, 4pm. Long Beach State vs. UT, 6:30pm. Both events: Gregory Gym, 2101 Speedway. $4-7 per day. www.texassports.com.