Oct. 16, 2005

Final Stats

ARLINGTON, Texas - The downhill slide continued for the Texas-Arlington volleyball team as the Mavericks dropped to 3-14 overall and 1-7 in the Southland Conference following a 20-30, 14-30, 12-30 defeat at the hands of McNeese State Saturday evening at Texas Hall.

The Cowgirls seized control of the match from the opening serve as MSU took advantage of an attack error from UTA and raced out to a quick advantage. Back-to-back attack errors from Gina Kalb and Torrie Dacus pushed the Cowgirls advantage to 20-10 before two straight kills from Ashley Van Antwerp trimmed the deficit to eight. UTA would not be able to get any closer as Marquita Williams put the ball away to end the first game.

The second game was more of the same as MSU scored the first seven points of the game and quickly rolled to a 13-3 advantage on a kill by Tiffany Baker. Kills by Ellen Murray and Van Antwerp, coupled with two straight attack errors from the Cowgirls brought UTA to within six points. That would be the end of the rally for the Mavs as MSU closed out the game with a 13-3 run, the same way they started.

The Mavs got on the board first in the third game as a service error and an Ashley Smith service ace gave UTA the early advantage. The momentum was short lived as the Cowgirls responded by scoring 14 of the next 18 points to open up a double digit advantage. Four straight attack errors sealed the fate of the Mavs as MSU rolled to the victory in the third game.

The Mavs offense was led by Van Antwerp's seven kills. Melissa Marek added five kills and Smith chipped in with 15 assists. Dani Johnson led the defensive attack with 12 digs. The Cowgirls were led offensively by Williams' 15 kills and 12 apiece from Baker and Trisha Seale.

The Mavs return to action on Oct. 21 when they host Texas-San Antonio. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Texas Hall.