WACO, Texas – The Baylor volleyball team will conclude spring drills by hosting its annual spring volleyball tournament on Saturday, April 28 at the Student Life Center.

Along with the Lady Bears, tournament participants include TCU, Texas-Arlington, Houston, Barton County Junior College, and Blinn.

Earlier this month, Baylor participated in the Texas Tornadoes Spring College Tournament in Houston. The Lady Bears played an invitational match on Friday night, defeating Houston 3-0 behind the strength of 15 kills by rising sophomore Katie Sanders (Katy, Texas). Rising sophomore Anna Breyfogle (Buda, Texas) added nine kills and 10 total blocks (two solo) for Baylor.

Saturday started pool play, with the Lady Bears matched up against Tulane and Southern California. Baylor dropped the best-of-three match to Tulane, falling 15-7 in the third game, before rallying to beat Southern California 15-13 in the third game.

“Defensively we are improving, we had good effort, and offensively we were very good,” said head coach Jim Barnes. “Taylor is setting an outstanding offense. Katie (Sanders) and Anna (Breyfogle) led us in kills and are improving each week defensively. Amanda Modglin had an outstanding tournament with a .409 hitting percentage. Amanda Elliott was very efficient on the outside; she got the final kill to put away USC. Kesley (Smith) is gaining her health back in her knee and will be full strength soon. (Kristen) Schramek played solid defense and served well. (Ashlee) Cooper unfortunately injured her hand with a hairline fracture but finished the tournament."

After a first round bye in a single-elimination playoff, Baylor defeated Houston and Texas Tech to take the bracket title.

"The team showed very good improvement this tournament,” said Barnes. “We competed at a high level and we had good energy and teamwork. We played aggressively in beating USC and we stayed focused to go on and beat UH and Texas Tech.”

Baylor returns eight letterwinners, including five starters, from last year’s team that finished the season 18-15, giving Baylor its first winning season since 2001. The Bears were ranked as high as 30th in the nation, with the program’s best non-conference record in school history (12-1). Baylor returns freshmen Taylor Barnes (Arlington, Texas), Anna Breyfogle (Buda, Texas), and Katie Sanders (Katy, Texas) who each played their way into the starting rotation by season’s end. Libero Kristen Schramek (San Antonio, Texas) returns in the back row, with Kelsey Smith (Lubbock, Texas) expected to see extended time on the outside.

The Bears will also welcome four incoming freshmen to campus over the summer. The 2007 recruiting class, one of the best in Baylor history, should compete for playing time this fall.

Baylor’s spring tournament begins at 9 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. at the Baylor Student Life Center. Admission is free, but seating is limited.