UTA Volleyball Team Records First 20-Win Season Since 2006
By UT Arlington Athletics Department
Posted on October 27, 2014, October 27, 2014

UTA-Volleyball

UT Arlington picked up the program's first 20-win season since 2006 in a three-set sweep over ULM at Faint-Ewing Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.

"It hadn't happened since 2006 and anybody that knows anything in the world of volleyball knows that now you can tell yourself that you've had a successful season because 20 wins is the mark that people shoot for every year," UT Arlington coach Diane Seymour said. "It's great and I think that we've got a lot more wins in us and I don't think we're going to be satisfied saying that we had a 20-win season. We are setting our sights for a title."

The Mavericks improve to 20-5 on the season with a 10-3 record in conference play, while the Warhawks fall to 7-19 this year with a 1-12 record in the Sun Belt. The victory is the seventh straight for UT Arlington which is the longest win streak since 2010 and marks the 24th season that the Mavericks have recorded at least 20 wins.

UTA was paced offensively by Briana Sharratt who recorded nine kills and a hitting percentage of .467 in the match to go along with four blocks.

Caitlyn Cooney led the Mavs defensively as the junior libero recorded 20 digs in the sweep.

Amanda Welsh registered her sixth double-double of the season in the match as the Austin native notched 18 assists and 12 digs. Welsh also recorded her 100th career service ace, becoming the 15th Maverick player to join the 100-Ace Club.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of it and it's very exciting to say that I'm in the 100-Ace Club," Welsh said. "Seeing this team from the start of two-a-days to now and into the future with the conference tournament is something where I am very excited what's in store for us."

The Mavericks hit .301 in the match while allowing the Warhawks to hit .158. UTA also outblocked ULM 8-2 in the match.

After taking a 12-9 lead in the first set off of a Sharratt kill, the Mavs were on the wrong end of a 6-1 run that gave ULM a 15-13 lead. UTA was then able to cut the ULM lead down to two points thanks to Hannah Baptiste kill making the score 19-17. The Mavericks then closed out the set with an 8-2 run that gave UTA the opening frame 25-21.

Sharratt paced the Mavs through the opening set as the sophomore MB recorded four kills and one block to go along with a .600 hitting percentage. Cooney led the charge defensively as she recorded a team high ten digs. Welsh did her part to direct the offense as the senior setter recorded eight assists and six digs in the set. The Mavericks outhit the Warhawks .262 to .137.

With the second set tied at four, UTA scored four unanswered points capped off with a Qiana Canete and Ashley Bennett block that forced a ULM timeout. The Warhawks closed the gap out of the timeout, cutting the Mavericks lead down to one point at 9-8 before UTA stormed back with a 4-1 run that gave it a 13-9 lead. After holding the four point lead steady at 17-13, UTA then extended the lead to seven points when a Stacey Koch kill put the Mavs up 21-14. While ULM did attempt to gain control of the set by cutting the lead to three points and forcing a UTA timeout at 22-19, the Mavericks closed out the set with a 3-1 run to take the second frame 25-20.

Koch led UTA in the second set, registering five kills and a hitting percentage of .571. Cassidy Wheeler led the team in assists as the sophomore setter recorded eight in the set. The Mavericks outhit the Warhawks .297 to .262 while also out blocking ULM 4-2. UTA was in complete control in the third set as the Mavericks led from start to finish. A Canete kill put the Mavericks up 7-3 early and forced a ULM timeout. The Warhawks tried to close the gap as they cut the lead to four points at 10-6, but that was as close as they would get as the Mavericks responded with a 12-3 run that gave them a 22-9 lead. UTA then closed out the set with three straight points to take the final frame 25-12 and the match 3-0.

"We just need to keep fighting the way we have been," Seymour added. "We are really showing up when we need to. Different players are coming up with a big play at the right time and we just have to hope that continues. We've got a tough week next week and from here on out I think every match is going to be tough whether it's on the road or at home."

The Mavericks will return to action on Friday, Oct. 31 when they travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia State with the match set to begin at 5 p.m.

Highlights, News, Sports