Vaqueras sweep Thunderbirds

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Team swept Southern Utah University 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-17) earlier tonight, bringing its record to 8-8 overall and 2-1 conference.

The first set was a close back and forth between the teams with the Vaqueras ultimately bringing in their first set win.

The Thunderbirds came the closest in the second set, losing by two points.

Midway through the third set, the Vaqueras took a sizable lead and finished the game with 25-17.

Volleyball head coach Todd Lowery said there was an amazing crowd at tonight’s game, which he thinks helps the team play better.

Lowery said the team is working on its defense and is happy with the performance in this game.

Junior setter Luanna Emiliano finished tonight’s game with a career-total 2,970 assists, making her the second highest in program history.

Lowery said Luanna being second place in program history for assists is impressive.

“Two and a half years here and already there,” he said. “Just a great all-around performance. She continues to get better and do what she does.”

Lowery said the third set was close until the Vaqueras got to 15 kills and started taking a major lead.

“We kinda saw that they weren’t really getting out of rotations,” he said. “At 15, I just told them, ‘Once you get one or two in, just stay at that level; don’t continue to amp up your service pressure.’”

Emiliano said moving up to second place in program history was a big moment for her.

“I think this stat was a big impact,” she said. “I’m happy but I think we have a lot to work on and grow as a team as well.”

Junior outside hitter Claudia Lupescu led the Vaqueras with 10 kills, five digs and an ace.

Lupescu said she knows she has to make a difference when she steps onto the court.

Asked if she felt pressure being put in the game she replied it was different this time.

“I feel like today I was more relaxed,” Lupescu said. “I was like, ‘OK, I gotta do what I gotta do’ and just focus on the main things.”

Thunderbird junior outside hitter Natasha Obradovic led Southern Utah with eight kills on .217 hitting.

Lowery said the team had the mentality to end the game decisively early in the match.

Asked about the upcoming Saturday game, Lowery replied the team will be preparing for one day before having to face off against Utah Tech University.

“In the [Western Athletics Conference], you gotta take one night at a time,” he said. “You can’t overlook somebody like this team. … If we start looking past somebody and focus on Saturday, we’re gonna get caught.”

The team is hoping to get another home-game win against Utah Tech University.

“These two home games are really important for us to go get two wins,” he said. “That’s our goal for Saturday.”

Next up for the Vaqueras is a home game at 2 p.m. Saturday against Utah Tech University, followed by an away game against Seattle University Oct 5.