Since her arrival as head volleyball coach, Aleah Hayes, now in her sixth season, has scheduled games to make sure the Cardinals were tested and ready for the battles in Region XIV Conference by playing a challenging schedule. Such was the case on opening weekend of the 2024 season Friday and Saturday.

The Cardinals were in Fort Meyers, Fla.  to compete in the Battle at the Beach Tournament, hosted by defending NJCAA champion Florida SouthWestern. The fifth-ranked Cardinals held their own, going 2-2.

After opening with a 3-2 loss to No. 19 Eastern Florida State, the Cardinals scored wins against Hillsborough, 3-1, and No. 14 Daytona State, 3-1. They ended the event with a 3-0 loss to No. 1 Florida Southwestern.

Sara Gamboa  and Genesis Rodriguez were the Cardinals' leading performers in the four matches and were both named to the all-tournament team. Gamboa averaged 3.80 kills and 3.00 digs per set. Rodriguez averaged 2.60 kills, 3.27 digs and .073 sets per set.

The Cardinals are scheduled to compete in Blinn College's Labor Day Tournament later this week, Thursday-Saturday. The Cardinals are set to play No. 8 Odessa, North Central Texas, No. 7 Weatherford, New Mexico and No. 2 Miami-Dade.

CARDINALS AT BLINN LABOR DAY TOURNAMENT

Aug. 29-31, at Brenham

Thursday, Aug. 29 – Cardinals vs. Odessa, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 30 – Cardinals vs. North Central Texas, 1 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 30 – Cardinals vs. Weatherford, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 31 – New Mexico, 9 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 31 – Miami-Dade, 1 p.m.