Nov. 16, 2003
HUNTSVILLE, Texas...Senior Melissa Robinett led The University of Texas at Arlington with 17 kills as the Mavericks defeated Sam Houston State 3-1 (30-25, 25-30, 30-21, 30-22) in the regular season finale for both squads. UTA finishes the regular season with a 14-6 mark in the Southland Conference and will head to the postseason tournament as the No. 3 seed.
Despite a .106 attack percentage and trailing by as many as seven in game one, the Mavericks rattled off 10 straight points to push ahead of the Bearkats. UTA fought off the 'Kats and held on for a 30-25 win.
Sam Houston rallied behind senior Carrie Sartain's seven kills in game two to defeat the Mavericks 30-25 and tie the match at one game apiece. UTA struggled once again managing only a .122 hitting percentage compared to the Bearkats whopping .400.
The Mavericks pulled it together in game three, hitting a match-high .410. After rattling off five straight points to open the game, the Mavs never looked back and rolled to a 30-21 win. Libero Ashley Smith held off the 'Kats attack, picking up nine digs in game three.
After leading 19-11 in game four the Mavericks allowed SHSU to claw back to within three at 25-22. Following a UTA timeout, the Mavericks scored five straight points to end the 'Kats attack and the game 30-22.
Joining Robinett with double figures was Stephanie Miklis (12) and Mindy Hubik (10). Smith led the Mavericks defense with a match-high 17 digs while older sister Caley was next in line with 15. Elizabeth Davis, Heather Dunn and Julie Felts each contributed 10 digs to the Mavs defensive efforts.
Dunn handed out 42 assists in the match to push her career total to 4,125 and move into No. 4 on UTA's career assist list, surpassing Colleen Farrell who collected 4,089 assists from 1990-1992.
Texas-Arlington will return to action this weekend, November 21-23, when it heads to the Southland Conference postseason tournament hosted by The University of Texas San Antonio. The Mavericks have clinched the third seed in the six team tournament, and are expected to face Nicholls State on Friday evening.
-utamavs.com-
