The council and Mayor Russell Humphrey recognized the Bearkat coach at the Nov 2 session.
The Huntsville City Council and Mayor Russell Humphrey recognized Sam Houston State University women's volleyball coach Brenda Gray during the council's Nov. 2 meeting, honoring her leadership of a Bearkat program that earned a spot in the Conference USA tournament this season.
The recognition came near the end of a milestone season for Gray and Sam Houston volleyball. Earlier in the season, Gray earned her 800th career win, placing her among the most successful coaches in college volleyball. The city's recognition was separate from that coaching achievement and highlighted her contributions to the Huntsville community.
Gray has guided the Sam Houston program through a competitive season, keeping the Bearkats involved in the Conference USA race from the opening weeks through November. Sam Houston enters its final regular-season series with a 17-10 overall record and an 8-6 mark in conference play.
The Bearkats recently split their road series against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 5-6. Sam Houston won the opening match 3-2 on Thursday before falling 3-1 in Friday's rematch. The results left the Bearkats preparing to finish the regular season at home, with conference tournament seeding still undecided.
Bearkats split the Middle Tennessee series before the home finale
Sam Houston began its series against Middle Tennessee with a five-set victory Thursday, Nov. 5, but could not secure a second win, losing Friday's match in four sets. The split gave the Bearkats a 1-1 result against a conference opponent during the final full week of the regular season.
The series also provided another opportunity to reflect on the season's accomplishments. Gray's recent city recognition added to a memorable year for the program, bringing attention to her achievements beyond the volleyball court.
Middle Tennessee claimed Friday's match 3-1, evening the series and sending Sam Houston back to Huntsville to prepare for its final home matches. The Bearkats will look to finish strong at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum before heading into the conference tournament.
The upcoming series will also mark the end of the Bearkats' home schedule. Sam Houston has played much of its season in front of its home crowd at Johnson Coliseum and will now welcome the conference's undefeated leader for the regular-season finale.
Western Kentucky closes the regular season at Johnson Coliseum
Western Kentucky enters the Huntsville matchup with a 20-6 overall record and an undefeated 14-0 record in Conference USA play. The Hilltoppers have already secured the conference's No. 1 seed for the CUSA Championship, scheduled for Nov. 20-22 and hosted by Western Kentucky.
The Bearkats and Hilltoppers will meet Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m. at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Friday's matchup will conclude the regular season for both programs.
For Sam Houston, the series presents one final opportunity to compete against the conference's top-ranked team before postseason play begins. Western Kentucky has remained unbeaten in conference competition throughout the season, giving the Bearkats a challenging opponent for their final home appearance.
The city's recognition of Gray adds another milestone to the closing stretch of the season. As she prepares to lead the Bearkats through their final home matches, the team will look to finish its home schedule with strong performances against the conference leader.
Gray's 800th career victory earlier this season remains one of the program's most significant accomplishments this fall. Alongside that milestone, the council's recognition represents a separate honor from the Huntsville community, acknowledging a coach whose program has become part of the city's university athletics landscape.
Earlier in the fall, the Bearkats also swept Jacksonville State twice during a weekend volleyball series. That performance, followed by the recent split against Middle Tennessee, reflects a season in which Sam Houston remained competitive in the conference standings into November.
The CUSA Championship will take place Nov. 20-22, with Western Kentucky serving as the host and No. 1 seed. Once the regular season concludes at Johnson Coliseum, Sam Houston will know its postseason position and tournament matchup. The Bearkats will enter the championship carrying the momentum of a competitive season and the recognition of their longtime coach by the Huntsville City Council.