Final Stats

MOBILE, Alabama - Heading into Friday night's matchup with South Alabama, UT Arlington was 0-3 in conference play on the road, but the Mavericks ended any doubt of their ability to win on the road as they earned their first road conference win against the Jaguars in a three-set sweep (25-19, 26-24, 25-20).

"We gained a lot of confidence in our match against Texas State on Wednesday," UT Arlington coach Diane Seymour said. "It was important for us to continue to play well like we did and pick up that first conference road win."

The win pushes UTA to a 15-5 record this season and 5-3 in the Sun Belt, while South Alabama falls to 9-9 overall and 4-4 in the conference.

Taylor Gross led the charge for UTA as she recorded a team-high nine kills and hitting percentage of .316 in the match.

"We were just really sharp today," Gross said. "We had a little bit of a lull in the match, but we came in and got things done coming off what was a tough travel weekend."

Gross was joined by Qiana Canete and Briana Sharratt who each recorded eight kills in the match. Canete chipped in 11 digs to help out defensively while Sharratt also got in on the action with a team-high five blocks.

As a team the Mavs hit .259 while allowing USA to hit just .191 in the match. UTA also outblocked the Jaguars 7-4.

With the Mavericks holding a two point lead at 12-10 in the opening frame, UTA gained control thanks to a 10-5 run which was capped off with a Sharratt kill that put the Mavs up 22-15. Despite the Jaguars closing the gap to five points at 24-19 it was too little too late as the Mavs closed out the set with a Canete kill that gave the opening frame to UTA 25-19.

Gross spurred the Mavs offensive output in the first set as she recorded four kills and a hitting percentage of .500 to go along with one dig. Canete also did her part as she notched three kills, three digs and a hitting percentage of .375 in the set.

UTA jumped out to an early lead in the second set as they opened up with a 14-7 lead after a ball handling error by USA. Despite the early lead, the Jaguars were able to make it close late as they took their first lead of the set at 23-22, but the Mavs closed out the set with a 4-1 run that was highlighted by a Sharratt kill with UTA taking the set 26-24.

Sharratt made her mark in the second set as she notched four kills while hitting .500. Amanda Welsh and Cassidy Wheeler also did their part as they combined to record 13 of the Mavericks 15 assists in the set. Canete and Taylor Story also helped out defensively as the duo recorded four digs each.

The Mavs jumped out to an early 7-2 lead after a service ace by Caitlyn Cooney in the third set. South Alabama then was able to cut the lead down to two points at 20-18, but UT Arlington closed out the set when a Canete kill ended a 5-2 run and gave the Mavericks the set 25-20.

Gross led the team in the final set as she put up four kills and a hitting percentage of .333 to go along with one block. Ashley Bennett and Canete also got in on the action as the pair of players recorded three kills apiece. Cooney chipped in defensively as she recorded nine digs in the final frame of the match.

The Mavericks will return to action this Sunday when they host Appalachian State at noon at College Park Center as a part of the UTA Volleyball Alumni Weekend.

"We just need to make sure to come out with a lot of energy," added Gross. "They are similar to us and a good team, but I think since we are playing at home we will have some good energy and we are really excited to play them."