THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University women's volleyball team is set to host the second Betty Austin Invitational on Friday, August 29th and Saturday. August 30th in Elmore Gymnasium. The sophomore rendition of the Invitational will see Morgan State (MSU), South Carolina State (SCSU) and Delaware State (DSU) take on the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine-Bluff and the Jaguars of Southern University for a SWAC/MEAC Challenge. Complete tournament info, including the match schedule and live stats, can be found on the tournament site here.
The Maroon and White went 2-1 in the inaugural Invitational, picking up three-set wins against Idaho and Oral Roberts before falling to UT Chattanooga in the final match. Alabama A&M will open play in the 2025 Invitational with a Battle of the Bulldogs, facing off against SCSU on Aug. 29 before playing the Bears of MSU. The Bulldogs will round out the Challenge by taking on DSU the following day (Aug. 30).
Betty Austin is one of the most successful coaches in Alabama A&M history. During her tenure as the women's volleyball coach, Austin amassed more than 600 victories while leading the program to 17 conference championships.When Austin took over the women's volleyball program, Alabama A&M was an NCAA Division II member competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. While in the SIAC, she led AAMU to 11 conference championships.
In 1999, Alabama A&M made the transition to Division I athletics, joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Austin's volleyball program had no problem with the step up in competition, making an immediate impact by winning five straight conference championships from 2000-05. Austin retired as the Alabama A&M women's volleyball coach following 2006 season, finishing her career with a 603-225 record.
Even though Austin stepped down as a coach in 2006, she continued to be involved in Alabama A&M athletics. In 2007, Austin was hired as Alabama A&M's Director of Athletics, becoming one of the first black female athletic directors in NCAA Division I athletics. Austin, a 1974 Alabama A&M graduate, also spent six seasons as the Alabama A&M women's basketball coach from 1977-82.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Follow the volleyball team on Instagram and X.
