Sept. 6, 2003

ARLINGTON, Texas...The University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks dropped two matches Saturday, the final day of the 2003 UTA/LaQuinta Volleyball Invitational at Texas Hall. UTA closed out the tournament with a four-game loss (30-16, 30-20, 30-22, 24-30) to UC-Irvine who improved to 6-1 on the year. The Mavericks fell earlier to Oral Roberts in four games by scores of 30-16, 20-30, 27-30, 29-31.

The Mavericks struggled offensively in game one, recording only nine kills compared to the Anteaters 23. UC-Irvine cruised to a 30-16 win behind seven kills from both Kelly Wing and Terbrie Taylor.

UTA continued to struggle in game two, again recording only nine kills. UC-Irvine pushed ahead to win 30-20 and take a two games to none lead into the break.

It was a totally different Maverick squad in game three as they jumped to and early 7-1 lead and never looked back. UTA rallied behind seven kills from senior Mindy Hubik to defeat the Anteaters, 30-22.

The Mavericks battled in game four, hoping to force the deciding fifth game. Unfortunately it was the Anteaters who came out on top, 30-24.

Melissa Robinett recorded a team high 13 kills, while Hubik chipped in with 12. Caley Smith recorded 18 digs and Julie Felts and Ashley each recorded 13 in the Mavericks defensive effort. Setter Heather Dunn dished out 40 assists.

Kelly Wing, the tournament most valuable player, led the Anteaters with a match high 20 kills.

UTA suffered its first loss at Texas Hall since 2001 as Oral Roberts shattered the Mavericks 22-game home court winning streak with a four game win (30-16, 20-30, 30-27, 31-29) this afternoon.

After hitting .545 as a team in game one of the match, the Mavericks fell apart, only hitting above .200 in the final game. Freshman Kim Merrill recorded her second straight double-double, collecting 12 kills and 12 digs. Senior Melissa Robinett tallied a team high 13 kills in the loss, while the Smith sisters led the Mavericks defensive charge with a combined 34 digs.

Oral Roberts was led by Orieta Zuzic who put down 24 kills as her team improved to 2-3 on the year.

Texas-Arlington will return to action Thursday and Friday, September 11-12, when it participates in the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational in Austin. The Mavericks will face UCLA on Thursday at noon.

...utamavericks...