Sophie Ocampo, redshirt junior outside hitter, links pinkies with her teammates after a game against California Baptist University on Oct. 23 at College Park Center. Ocampo played one set.
UTA volleyball (11-8) defeated California Baptist University (6-13) 3-1 Thursday at College Park Center.
The Mavericks’ last matchup against the Lancers on Oct. 11 resulted in a fourth consecutive loss in conference play. The team now looks to reverse the roles, going on a two-game win streak following its 3-1 victory against Utah Tech University on Saturday.
Junior middle blocker Hana Aiana, middle, attempts to hit the ball while Bella Breuer, California Baptist University freshman middle blocker, tries to block in an Oct. 23 game at College Park Center. Aiana had 12 kills.
“It feels good to bounce back and play at home — it’s always harder to win on the road, and it was nice to come back and tie the series 1-1,” head coach Tania Schatow said.
The game began well for the Mavericks, as they took the lead in the first set early and never looked back, winning 25-14.
Junior libero Samantha Glenn hits the ball during a game against California Baptist University on Oct. 23 at College Park Center. Glenn had four assists.
CBU began the second set up 5-1, but UTA fought, holding the Lancers at nine. The Mavericks maintained a short-lived lead with a kill by junior outside hitter Evyn Snook, and a CBU error to put the team up 10-9. UTA committed multiple errors and wasn’t able to extend the lead, handing it back to CBU.
The Lancers extended their lead to 20-15, but the Mavericks began coming back as two kills by junior middle blocker Hana Aiana and two CBU errors ended the set with a UTA 25-23 win.
UTA volleyball players cheer after scoring during a game against California Baptist University on Oct. 23 at College Park Center. UTA won 3-1.
“We’re not losing,” Aiana said. “I just kept telling the girls, even though I wasn’t in the last time, we were not losing to this team ever again, and just trying to push and just keep going from there.”
CBU opened the third set with another lead, but UTA rallied off back-to-back aces by junior setter Mira Ledermueller. CBU kept it close and forced extra points after the two teams traded leads.
Junior setter Mira Ledermueller sets the ball during a game against California Baptist University on Oct. 23 at College Park Center. Ledermueller had 49 assists.
Neither team could claim the set point as they went back and forth, repeatedly tying the score until CBU emerged 31-29 to make the score 2-1.
“We don’t want to get tentative. I think that’s happened in a few sets,” Schatow said. “Whenever it gets close at the end and we can’t close out, we start tipping, rolling; we’re not as aggressive, so I just told them, ‘Keep swinging hard.’”
The fourth set swung back and forth until UTA took a 6-3 lead. CBU kept the score close, and the margin didn’t go up to five points until UTA led 19-14. CBU attempted to come back, but a kill by freshman outside hitter Camryn McMinn sealed the 25-21 set and match win.
Senior outside hitter Jalie Tritt led the Mavericks in kills with 18, with Aiana and freshman outside hitter Andrea Nunez tied for second with 12. Junior libero Samantha Glenn led UTA with 20 digs, while Ledermueller had 12.
Junior setter Mira Ledermueller high-fives her teammates before a game against California Baptist University on Oct. 23 at College Park Center. Ledermueller had 12 digs.
“Nothing drops. I got to help the team and nothing hits the floor,” Glenn said. “That’s my mentality going into everything. Nothing hits the floor, everything’s up, so I can give my setter a good pass and get the kill.”
The Mavericks look to continue their winning ways in the final game of their three-game homestand at 6 p.m. Oct. 30 against in-state rival Tarleton State University.
“We are going 10 times harder, if not 100 times harder the next time we play against Tarleton. I’m not letting them win anytime soon,” Aiana said.
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