TYLER-- The 2012 UT Tyler volleyball season is right around the corner, and coach Suzanne Truitt and the Patriots begin the season with high expectations. In 2011, coach Truitt guided the Patriots to a school-record 21 wins on the season, including a school-record 11 wins in the American Southwest Conference.

UT Tyler welcomes back a strong nucleus of players from last year's squad inlcuding three All-ASC performers, second-teamer Madison Kosir, third-teamer Emily Wood and honorable mention Stacey Wilson.

The Patriots open the season on the road, 1300-hundred miles from campus, facing NCAA D-III powers Christopher-Newport, Eastern, Lasell and Bridewater at the Captain's Classic in Newport News, Virginia beginning August 31st.   CNU finished 2011 as the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, while Eastern finished at No. 3 in the final poll.

The 2012 home-opener is set for September 7 against Texas College, opening the UT Tyler/Trinity Mother Frances Invitational at 12:30.  During the weekend, the Patriots will also face Hendrix, Centenary and Millsaps College.  

The conference home-opener is slated for Tuesday, September 11 against Texas-Dallas at 7 p.m. at the Herrington Patriot Center.  

Other marquee matchups include a showdown with last years ASC Champion Hardin-Simmons at the ASC Dig Pink Crossover Challenge in Austin on September 21. The Patriots will also face Schreiner and Concordia in Austin.

In the second Crossover Challenge, October 5-6, the Patriots will take on ASC West opponents Texas Lutheran, Howard Payne and Sul Ross in Belton.  

The final home game of the season will feature Letourneau on September 28 at 7 p.m.

UT Tyler will close out the regular season in the Millsaps Tournament, October 26-27 in Jackson, Mississippi with matchups scheduled against Millsaps, Loyola, Rust College and Belhaven.  

The 2012 ASC Championships will be held at the West Division No. 1 seed home site, November 1-3.  

You can find the full schedule and follow all of the UT Tyler volleyball action at uttylerpatriots.com, and on Twitter by following @uttylerpatriots.