With the Palo Alto sports teams in full swing, players and coaches would like to see more fans in the bleachers attending more games.

The women’s volleyball team’s upcoming schedule includes games against Victoria College at Victoria’s home court on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Their next home game is Jan. 21 against Trinity University at 7 p.m.

The men’s basketball team has a home game scheduled for Dec. 8 against Schreiner College, with the tip-off to be determined. The women’s basketball team’s next home game is on Jan. 27 against St. Philip’s College at 6:30 p.m.

So far, the men’s basketball team has seen the most success, starting off with a record of 4-1. Both coaches and players agree this is a long season. It began Oct. 14 and runs through Feb. 24. The Regional Championship will be held at the University of Texas-San Antonio on Feb. 26-28. The Conference Championship will be held here at Palo Alto College on March 13 and 14. The women’s basketball team shares the same schedule as the men’s team.

The thought of competing athletically and attending college might intimidate some students, but for these student athletes, it does not.

Greg Threat, a sophomore majoring in Business Marketing, said that the key is staying focused.

"We only practice three times a week and that gives us plenty of time to do our school work," said Threat.

Jean Vclcy, a freshman majoring in Finance who is only a part-time student, said, "You can’t play anyway if you’re not doing well academically."

Amber Ramirez, a sophomore majoring in Medicine, said it best. "We are all students first and athletes second," she said.

Ruben Calderon coaches both the men’s basketball team and women’s volleyball team. According to Coach Calderon, the volleyball team has won the conference title six out of the last eight years. The conference is called the South Texas Club Sports League, and it consists of Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, Victoria College, St. Philip’s College, Trinity University and Northwest Vista.

The women’s volleyball team is young and the players are working on their chemistry, which is key when working with a young team and a new coach. Coach Calderon said, "We are getting better every day."

The volleyball team hopes to have its chemistry issues worked out by the time the playoffs start in February.

With an 0-5 season so far, the women’s basketball team hasn’t gotten off to the kind of start that the men’s team has, but Coach Libby is very positive. "These 13 ladies are working very hard…. We don’t have much size, but we’re quick and we have good shooters," he said.

With the team’s size, Libby has put an emphasis on the defensive side of the floor. Chemistry is also very important to the team.

Ramirez said, "Right now, the team chemistry is good." She believes that it will help them get better as the season progresses.

Though the team has lost its first few games, there are two teams in particular that they look forward to playing as they progress: SAC and NVC. Team captains Kathleen Saldivar, a freshman majoring in Pre-Med; Megan Almaraz, a sophomore majoring in Kinesiology; and Ramirez all agree that these two teams are also their biggest rivals.

Libby said, "It’s not about wins and losses. It’s how well we’re doing in February."

Many of the players who are on these three teams are playing just for the opportunity to compete at the college level. Others, though, are trying to move on to four year college programs, Division I schools or Division I-A.

Libby, so far, has sent three men to four-year colleges. Two are starting for Sul Ross University basketball team, in Alpine, Texas, and one is the starting point guard for Schreiner College, in Kerrville, Texas.

Coaches and players agree that one way for their athletic programs to get more funding is for more students and faculty to attend their games, which are pretty exciting with a great atmosphere.

Saldivar said, "It gets pretty loud in here. You can’t even hear Coach talk most of the time. It also gets pretty packed."

Coach Libby encourages everybody to come out to their games. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students. If students, faculty and staff show their Alamo Colleges I.D. card, admission is just $1.

Games are held at the gym, which is located just behind the new Performing Arts Center, off of Loop 410. For more information, e-mail Libby at jlibby1@alamo.edu.