Nov. 19, 2006
Box Score
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The 2006 season and the career of lone senior Ashley Smith came to an end Sunday afternoon as UT Arlington fell 21-30, 23-30, 25-30 to Stephen F. Austin in the championship match of the Southland Conference Tournament.
Smith's career did not come to a quiet end as she tied SLC Tournament record with 86 digs on her way to becoming UTA's all-time leader in career digs with 1,921 and finishing the season with 863 digs, the most by any player in the NCAA this season.
Teena Sobczak closed out her freshman season in prime fashion as she joined Smith on the All-Tournament team after recording 53 kills and 46 digs in the three matches.
Defense was the story of the first game as the two teams combined for 71 digs on 123 swings. The Mavs fell behind 16-10 before coming out of a timeout with a 4-0 run to pull within two. SFA would net let UTA get any closer as they used a 5-0 run of their own to seize control and take the game.
After dropping the second game, the Mavs were poised to force a fourth game as they went on a 6-1 run to tie the score 16-16. UTA was never able to get over the hump and the Ladyjacks pulled away down the stretch.
Sobczak led the attack with 15 kills and 11 digs. Torie Dacus added 11 kills and 24 digs and Dani Johnson contributed 10 kills and 24 digs.
The Mavs finish the season with an overall record of 25-10 with 10 of their 11 players on the roster returning next season.
