COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Members of the Texas A&M volleyball team used their day off from a rigorous training schedule to participate in Residence Hall Move-In Assistance Day, welcoming and assisting new and returning Aggies move into their dorms.

The Department of Residence Life developed the assistance day program, and volunteers from the A&M community are on hand all day to help arriving students move into the residence halls. Sunday is when the majority of students move into the halls.

Freshman outside hitter Heather Reynolds (Wharton, Texas) enjoyed using her day off from practice to greet and lend a hand to her fellow classmates.

“The Aggie Move-In Day was an awesome experience and a great thing to be a part of,” she said. “As a freshman I could relate to the excitement and stress of moving into a new place and starting that next chapter in our lives. It was nice to know that all the people we helped move in today are my fellow classmates in the Class of 2014.

“I actually ran into many of my fellow Fish Camp members and even my DG group leader,” Reynolds added. “It just showed me that although Texas A&M is a large university, you are always surrounded by familiar and friendly faces.”

It was the second consecutive year for sophomore outside hitter/libero Tori Mellinger (Dallas, Texas) to volunteer for the event, which not only benefits the students moving in, but also gives the volleyball team an opportunity to meet and interact with the new students away from the court and attract new fans.

“Aggie Move-In day is a great way to get involved in the community,” Mellinger said. “We go help freshmen move in and welcome them to Aggieland. We carry boxes and refrigerators and help wherever we can, and we also get the word out about our upcoming season.

“It also serves as a great team bonding experience, and the community can really see how close the Aggie volleyball team is.”

The athletes are used to working as a team, but it was one large assemblage of volunteers assisting with the move in. The volunteers remained busy throughout their two-hour shift, and all shared in the appreciation.

“All of the students and parents were so appreciative for our assistance,” Reynolds said. “I couldn’t tell you how many times we were thanked in the two hours that we were there.

“Another plus was that we got to spend time with our teammates outside of the gym. It was a great team bonding experience. Just like on the court, we had to work together in order to be effective. Overall, I feel like the day was successful, and it gave me a personal sense of fulfillment.”

Reynolds, Mellinger and the rest of the volleyball team return to Reed Arena on Monday and invite fans to attend an intrasquad scrimmage followed by a meet-and-greet session 5-6:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

Ticket office personnel will be on hand at the event to sell season and individual match tickets. In addition, 2010 volleyball posters and schedule cards will be available.

The team is schedule to scrimmage for approximately one hour. Following the scrimmage, the players and coaches will be introduced and then will be available to meet and mingle with the fans and sign autographs.

The Aggies open the season Friday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. against Siena at Reed Arena in the opening match of the Texas A&M Invitational. A&M also takes on Pacific, a member of the strong Big West Conference, at 6 p.m. that evening.

A&M concludes the two-day tournament Saturday, Aug. 28 at noon against defending Southeastern Conference champion LSU in a rematch of the 2009 NCAA second-round match-up which saw the Aggies upset the No. 15-seeded Tigers, 3-2, in Baton Rouge, La., to advance to the Sweet 16.