Sept. 29, 2011
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ARLINGTON, Tex. - Tara Frantz turned in a career-high 24 kills to lead UT Arlington to a 3-2 victory over McNeese on Thursday night at Texas Hall.
The Mavericks bounced back from a 2-1 deficit in the match, coming back to win 26-24, 14-15, 15-25, 25-12, 15-11.
"I think tonight was a roller coaster, but I'm so very proud of how they showed some resilience and battled back because this team has really not shown this season that when the chips are down they will not fold," UT Arlington acting head coach Erin Clute said. "I know they had that belief in themselves but also had some doubt because they had not battled back yet. Sometimes you have to do it to prove to yourself that you can. I am very impressed with what they accomplished tonight."
Frantz not only posted huge numbers, she did so at an amazingly efficient clip for a .468 attack percentage. She committed just two errors on 47 attempts.
The senior's offensive performance played a huge role in the comeback for UT Arlington (6-11, 2-1), which played its first five-set match of the season.
"Considering the way this group has played so far this season, I would say it was miraculous just because at some point you either have to show you can do it or you are going to keep coming up as mediocre in a tough situation," Clute said. "I never believed they were mediocre, but until you prove it people don't know what you are made of. I think in sets 4 and 5, they were intent to show what they were made of.
"We have had it the whole time. This team just had to find it. I hope finding that strength tonight is going to catapult them into more success."
Charae Grosser added a career-high 11 kills and Amanda Aguilera finished with a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs.
Amanda Welsh also turned in a double-double, shattering her career high with 51 assists and chipping in 11 digs as well.
Alicia Shaffer's 33 digs led the Mavericks.
Emily Shearin posted eight kills, seven blocks and a pair of aces.
UT Arlington's blocking, in particular, played a major role in the turnaround. The Mavericks accounted for 7.5 of their 11.5 blocks during the final two sets.
The Cowgirls (6-11, 1-2) were led by Nicole Bowden's 20 kills. Whitney Ellisor and Katie Kennedy had 24 digs apiece. Taylor Bustamento had a double-double with 14 kills and 14 digs.
UT Arlington plays again Saturday at 2 p.m. when it hosts Lamar at Texas Hall.
