In the first set, UTRGV senior middle blocker Luisa Silva Dos Santos (left) and freshman outside hitter Nadine Zech block an incoming attack from Tarleton State University Texans sophomore middle blocker Emma Burke during tonight’s match in the UTRGV Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. Ryan Lugo/THE RIDER
The UTRGV Volleyball Team won its second-to-the-last game of the season 3-1 tonight, one week before the Western Athletic Conference Tournament begins.
UTRGV now has a record of 17-11 overall and 11-4 in conference as the team celebrated Senior Night and Faculty Appreciation Night.
Tarleton State University’s new record is now 15-13 overall and 6-8 in conference.
During the first set, the Vaqueros had significant control throughout and achieved a 25-17 win.
The second set started off similarly; however, Tarleton took a large lead midway and tied the match by getting their own 25-13 win.
While the third set started off evenly, with the Texans taking a small lead, things started to look grim for the Vaqueros as they were behind by six points, but they closed the gap and got a 19-18 lead. In a nail-biting turn of events, the teams tied at 24-24. As the Vaqueros kept pushing for the win, the Texans persisted in closing the gap and tying the score until UTRGV took a 30-28 win.
Tarleton took a decent lead in the beginning of the fourth set, but the Vaqueros managed to tie it up and take a small 19-18 lead before winning 25-22.
Head coach Todd Lowery said he was thrilled with the support from fans during tonight’s game.
“That was a fun match,” Lowery said. “An exciting match to watch and an exciting match to be part of.”
He said junior outside hitter Claudia Lupescu put up a good performance tonight.
Lupescu led the team with a career-high 23 kills, nine digs and .444 on hitting.
The outside hitter said she has been working hard during practice.
“That’s where my confidence comes from right now,” Lupescu said. “I just feel like I’ve been doing so many reps, that I’m just going and I know it’s going to get in and get in.”
Freshman outside hitter Nadine Zech ended the match with 15 kills, seven digs and .149 on hitting.
Lowery cited the biggest challenge for the team in the WAC conference.
“All these teams are fighting for seeding and everything,” he said. “There’s a lot to be decided below the top three. I think that’s why we’ve seen some of the efforts the last couple of matches from teams that we handled a little easier the first time around. Southern Utah [University] fighting for their life to get in. Utah Tech [University] fighting for their life to get in.”
Junior setter Luanna Emiliano posted 46 assists, 13 digs and four kills.
Lupescu said she felt like the team chemistry was best during the last set and the Vaqueros were able to bring home the win.
Texan senior outside hitter Rajini Fitzmaurice led Tarleton with 17 kills, eight digs and .359 on hitting.
UTRGV will play one more conference game, against Abilene Christian University, at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus.
The WAC Tournament and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament will take place Nov. 16-18 at the Lockhart Arena in Orem, Utah.
