Volleyball hosts FanFest, youth clinic at Gregory Gym
AUSTIN, Texas -- Several hundred Texas Volleyball fans and alumni joined the 2006 Longhorn volleyball squad Saturday afternoon as the program opened the doors to the "Horns' House" -- Gregory Gym -- for the Texas Volleyball FanFest. UT coach Jerritt Elliott introduced the 2006 Longhorns to kick off the festivities before adjourning over 200 children to the adjacent Gregory Gym annex for an hour-long volleyball clinic. The team divided itself into groups to teach essential volleyball skills such as serving, setting and blocking. Following the clinic, 15 Texas Volleyball alumni joined the current Longhorns for a scrimmage on the Gregory Gym floor. With the teams mixed between alumni and current student-athletes, the team comprised primarily of present Longhorns took all three games. The ensuing autograph session and barbecue dinner allowed the 2006 Longhorns to meet-and-greet members of their enthusiastic fan base to cap the day's festivities. "Today's events, with the youth clinic, the alumni scrimmage and the dinner were all really a great turnout for our program," noted Elliott. "I think all the fans and friends of UT Volleyball went away knowing that we appreciate their support as well, and I hope they took away the fact that we are prepared to put on a great show this year for them and challenge for the national championship. "One of the very best things about being at Texas and being a Longhorn," added senior All-Big 12 outside hitter Dariam Acevedo, "is that we all love the way our fans treat us, and today by coming here they showed us their support." The relationship between the Longhorns and their fans continues to grow with events like the Texas Volleyball FanFest. It is an event that serves as much of a positive purpose for the team as the fans. "We spent a lot of time signing autographs and hanging out with the young girls and their families, all huge fans of ours," noted All-America junior setter Michelle Moriarty. "It is times like this that get you even more pumped up to play here at Gregory (Gym). We really appreciate our fans!" "The spirit of tradition and winning here at UT is so strong," concluded sophomore defensive specialist Kiley Hall. "And, the spirit of our fans is great as well. Today's turnout for the youth clinic, our match against the alumni and dinner was great."
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