Aug. 28, 2014
ARLINGTON, Texas - The UT Arlington volleyball team opens up its 2014 season with the College Park Maverick Classic held at College Park Center on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 29 and 30).
The Mavericks open up the season against the University of the Incarnate Word on Friday at 7 p.m. The Cardinals are coming off of a 13-13 season where they finished eighth in the Southland Conference. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
UTA will face Jackson State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Mavericks are 1-0 all-time against the Tigers, with the only previous meeting coming in Denton in 2008 and the Mavs claiming a three-set victory (25-16, 25-17, 25-18).
The final game of the Classic will pit UTA against Denver at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Despite trailing 2-1 in the series, the Mavs claimed the last victory when they defeated the Pioneers in a five-set thriller (19-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 15-10) last season at the Black and Gold Challenge in Boone, N.C.
UTA returns 10 players from the 2013 squad that recorded 19 wins which is the most since the 2007 season when the Mavericks went 19-11 on the year. The Mavs will rely on senior OH Taylor Gross, who earned All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team honors for her performance during the 2013 season.
UT Arlington coach Diane Seymour has a 7-3 record in home openers since taking over the Mavs program in 2004, including victories in each of UTA's last four home openers. UTA is 6-4 in its season debut over the past 10 years, while also claiming victories in their season opener in each of the past three years.
UTA got off to a fast start at College Park Center in 2013, winning seven of their first nine games at home. The Mavs finished the season with a home record of 9-6.
For the complete 2014 UTA Hilton Invitational tournament schedule, click here. Follow UT Arlington Athletics on Twitter (@UTAMavs) for in-match updates.
Season and individual tickets for the 2014 UT Arlington volleyball season are on sale at utatickets.com and by calling the College Park Center box office at 817-272-9595.
Season tickets are $40 for all 17 home matches at College Park Center. Single game tickets are $5 for the general public and $3 for UTA students. UT Arlington students also have the option to buy the Mavericks All-Sports Pass for $25 payable on MyMav. This pass allows entry to all home athletic events during the 2014-15 academic year, which includes men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball.
