Andrew McCray
Women's Volleyball 6/3/2026 9:00:00 AM Sierra Henry
TSU Volleyball Represented at Ditsala International Cup in Botswana
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HOUSTON, Texas — Texas Southern Volleyball will be represented on an international stage this week as head coach Alexis Austin and student‑athletes Ava Ray and Gracie Lee participate in the 3rd Annual Ditsala Volleyball International Cup in Gaborone, Botswana.
This marks the first year Texas Southern has had representatives in the event, which features 16 student‑athletes from eight institutions, including six Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The tournament, hosted by Bring It Promotions in partnership with the Botswana Volleyball Federation, is designed to promote the growth of volleyball across Southern Africa while providing student‑athletes with international competition and cultural exchange opportunities.
Ava Ray, a setter, and Gracie Lee, a hitter, will compete as part of Team HBCU, facing a competitive field that includes:
- Botswana National Team
- Zambia National Team
- Morgan State University
Ray emphasized the significance of the opportunity, noting, "It's an honor, especially because we are the first two to represent TSU in Africa. I'm really excited to represent my school, my team, and my coaches."
Lee added, "I'm excited for this experience and being able to play against different players and cultures I've never competed against. Outside of volleyball, I'm looking forward to the safari and working with the kids to teach them what I know and what I've learned through the game."
Competition will take place June 4–6 in Gaborone, with matches streamed live throughout the tournament.
In addition to match play, participants will engage in several community initiatives, including:
- Youth volleyball clinics in Gaborone, Francistown, and Kasane
- School visits to promote the sport
- Cultural and educational experiences across Botswana
The group will also participate in training sessions with national team players and take part in organized cultural excursions.
Head coach Alexis Austin, who is among a select group of coaches for the 2026 event, will provide leadership while representing Texas Southern on an international stage.
"I can see our vision unfolding with this being our first time participating," Austin said. "I want to be able to continue this. I've been a part of programs where opportunities like this were always available, and we want to introduce that to our players. Exposure to international play is important, it's a major part of the sport globally. We want to continue this and make it a yearly opportunity, with hopes of eventually bringing the full team so they can experience it together."
The inclusion of Ray and Lee highlights the continued growth of the TSU Volleyball program, providing student‑athletes with opportunities to compete and represent the university on a global stage.
Tournament Schedule (Local Time / EST)
June 4
- 4:00 p.m. / 10:00 a.m. EST – Morgan State vs. Botswana
- 6:00 p.m. / 12:00 p.m. EST – Team HBCU vs. Zambia
June 5
- 4:00 p.m. / 10:00 a.m. EST – Morgan State vs. Zambia
- 6:00 p.m. / 12:00 p.m. EST – Team HBCU vs. Zambia
June 6
- 4:30 p.m. / 10:30 a.m. EST – Third-Place Match
- 6:30 p.m. / 12:30 p.m. EST – Championship Match
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