Sophomore Dubravka Vukoja celebrates a point with her teammates during a WAC match earlier this season. UTRGV will enter the WAC tournament this weekend in New Mexico, trying to build on the winningest season in program history. SARAH CARVAJAL/THE RIDER
Bryan Ramos | The Rider
The UTRGV Volleyball Team has made significant strides in year two, improving across the board in nearly every statistical category, including the most important one, the win column.
After a 12-19 finish in 2015, Head Coach Todd Lowery and his squad have turned things around in 2016, finishing with a 17-13 record overall, as of press time Friday. The team has earned its way into this weekend’s Western Athletic Conference Tournament, where the top six teams fight it out in a win-or-go-home match for the league crown.
“I feel like we’re in a better situation at the end of this season than we were last year,” Lowery said. “I thought we went into conference tournament and played really well up there last year. So, we’re excited about the conference tournament this year.”
The team made a leap over the summer, becoming more balanced with three women at the net who can provide big swings at any time. The team’s kill total increased from 1,270 in 2015 to 1,453 this year, while total blocks jumped from 184.5 to 284 and digs went up from 1,427 to 1,627.
Alisha Watson, a senior outside hitter who has racked up 1,039 kills and counting, said the work they’ve put in at practice has resulted in the team peaking at the right time.
“I think the things we’ve done the last few weeks we’ve applied really well,” Watson said. “It just shows how strong we are coming together at the right time. So, hopefully, we can keep that going into the WAC tournament. You try not to take any ball for granted in practice, but I think it’s even more crucial. Right now, you take every chance to play a ball because that’s a new opportunity to get better. Now we’re just trying to fine-tune everything because the little stuff matters.”
Last year, the women lost seven of the first eight conference matches before getting hot late and picking up three wins to qualify for the last spot in the WAC tournament with a 4-10 record in league play. In last year’s tourney, the volleyball team made a statement, as it upset the third-seed Utah Valley in the opening match, sweeping them in three straight sets. In the semifinals, the team fell at the hands of California State University Bakersfield in straight sets, but got a taste of what it was like to win on that stage.
This year, the ride through WAC play for UTRGV has seen its ups and downs. The team started out winning its first three games before dropping two straight, a trend that has kept up through the grind of WAC play. The team has gone 6-7 through conference play , as of press time Friday, and has set itself up to finish as the fifth or sixth seed in this year’s WAC tournament.
Lowery said his team has played well throughout the season in dealing with tough teams in the WAC conference.
“I think we got off to a really good start but it goes to show the strength of the WAC,” Lowery said. “At times, it’s a little bit of an underrated conference. I think we played well early in the season, but it’s a tribute to the grind of the season and how hard it is to win in this conference on the road.”
Looking forward to the tournament, Lowery said the conference is up for grabs as every team is capable of knocking out the other, like UTRGV did by upsetting Utah Valley last year.
“I think the conference 1-6 is very close,” Lowery said. “Going into the tournament on a neutral court I think anybody can beat anybody, really. It’s going to be who can show up, who can be healthy and play the best volleyball.”
The team could be without one of its key players as junior outside hitter Bojana Mitrovic, who has posted 305 kills over 25 matches, is coming off an ankle injury suffered Nov. 5 in a five-set thriller against New Mexico State. Her status for the WAC tournament remains up in the air as Lowery said the team is playing it by ear.
With Mitrovic’s playing status unknown, the team will have to step up to make up for her potential absence, and with a more balanced team, they are ready to do so. Watson is determined to bring home a conference championship to UTRGV in her senior year. Knowing each match could be her last, she is locked in and focused on going out with a bang.
“This year I’m looking for a championship,” Watson said. “I think everyone is pretty scared to see us in the finals and also eager at the same time because anybody who goes up against us is going to be an interesting match, it just depends on who throws more on the floor. Everyone’s going to be on their A game, so we’re trying to be comfortable with being uncomfortable in practice.”
The WAC tournament quarterfinals begin at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in Las Cruces, N.M., as the Aggies play host. UTRGV’s first-round opponent was to be determined as of press time. To keep up with the latest volleyball, follow the team’s Twitter @UTRGV_vball.
