SWIMMING

Aggie foursome takes fourth at U.S. Open Championships: FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- The Texas A&M foursome of Jason Bergstrom, Nathan Lavery, Tyler Welch and Casey Strange finished fourth in the men's 400-meter medley relay over the weekend at the U.S. Open Championships at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.

The relay team turned in a time of 3 minutes, 45.12 seconds. Bergstrom split 58.32 on his backstroke leg, Lavery turned in a 1:02.27 breaststroke leg, Welch posted a butterfly leg of 54.07 and Strange had a freestyle split of 50.46.

Strange also shined in the 50 freesytle, placing seventh in 22.59. Melanie Dodds was 15th in the women's 400 individual medley in 4:53.86, and Welch placed 15th in the men's 100 fly in 54.39.

VOLLEYBALL

Aggies begin practice Monday: The Texas A&M volleyball team will go through its first official practice of the preseason at 10 a.m. Monday at the practice gym at Reed Arena.

"It's always a lot of fun to get started," head coach Laurie Corbelli said. "The adrenaline is flowing and everyone is really excited. This year might be even more special because the sense of urgency and the determination is so visible in the way the girls talk and walk and carry themselves. There is just an incredible amount of determination, and that makes it even more exciting to get started."

Corbelli, who is entering her 17th season as the Aggies' coach, returns nine letterwinners -- including six seniors -- from last year's team that went 16-14 overall and 11-9 in the Big 12. In addition, Corbelli welcomes five freshmen, several of who will be vying for the two starting middle blocker positions.