SIX REASONS TO PACK THE HOUSE
1. TWO OF THE NATION'S BEST: Friday's primetime game on the opening day of the Hampton Inn & Suites Waco North Baylor Invitational is a matchup of 2016 NCAA Tournament teams. Florida State is ranked 15th in the preseason coaches' poll and has made it to the Sweet 16 three times in the last four years. Baylor is coming off a 22-12 season and made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years, upsetting 14th-ranked San Diego in the first round before losing at #10 UCLA.
2. THE PRICE IS RIGHT: All tickets cost $1. That's less than the price of half a gallon of gas for what could be two-plus hours of entertainment. And there's not a bad seat in the house at the Ferrell Center.
3. ALL-AMERICAN Katie Staiger: One of the most dynamic players in the country, the 6-foot-1 Staiger set a program single-season record and finished two shy of the Big 12 mark with 698 kills, averaging 5.45 per set. The fifth-year senior is a huge threat at outside hitter.
4. FRESH FACES: Baylor has six freshmen on the roster, including All-American setter Hannah Lockin from Des Moines, Iowa, and 6-6 outside hitter Marieke van der Mark from The Netherlands.
5. THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWN: This is the week before the Baylor and high school football seasons kick off. And with Baylor soccer playing in Houston this weekend, the Ferrell Center will be THE place to be Friday night.
6. ALL HANDS ON DECK: After missing last season with injuries, redshirt senior Tola Itiola and third-year sophomore Shelly Fanning are back on the court as middle blockers. They instantly make Baylor's net defense one of the best in the Big 12. The 6-2 Fanning was a second-team All-Big 12 pick as a freshman two years ago when she hit .244 with 290 kills and 57 blocks. A veteran with 67 career starts, Itiola has registered 401 kills and 233 blocks.
