Blakely leads a bright future for volleyball team

EDINBURG - Chelsea Blakely broke an 11-year-old record at The University of Texas-Pan American, setting the school's volleyball career assist record with 2,903.

"Next year we want to play on the first winning team we all can share," the 5-foot-6 setter said.

"We became very close, without seniors. We went 15-17, taking third in the National Independents Tournament. Our coaches, Angela Hubbard and assistant Leah Johnson, brought out the best in us and taught us how to become winners. Next year  we will have four seniors.

"We surprised (The University of Texas-San Antonio), a taller, established team, in the Prairie View Tournament. They totally underestimated us."

Blakely earned honors in Houston at J. Frank Dobie High School. Her father is an assistant superintendent for the Houston Independent School District.

"Pan American has a small athletic community," she said. "You don't get lost in the crowd like at football universities. I like the atmosphere. People in the Valley are more friendly, very family oriented."

A marketing major, she wants to graduate a winner and earn a master's and help with volleyball.

UTPA will host a four-on-four volleyball fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the UTPA Field House. The event is free to the public.