Match 1 Stats | Match 2 Stats

LAKE CHARLES, La. - UT Arlington had an impressive showing in the opening day of the Big Daddy's Invitational as the Mavericks defeated Houston (26-24, 25-21, 28-26) and McNeese State (27-29, 25-17, 25-21, 25-18). The two Friday wins give the Mavericks a record of 5-1 on the year.

"To be able to come in here and sweep Houston is big for us and a good quality win," UT Arlington coach Diane Seymour said. "The best part about our match tonight is that we were down and then came back to win three straight sets."

UTA 3, Houston 0

The Mavericks seemed to be in complete control in the opening match against Houston as they claimed victory in three sets.

UTA relied on a strong performance from junior OPP Stacey Koch who ended the match with a team-high 13 kills with only one error and a hitting percentage of .522. Freshman Qiana Canete also chipped in as she notched eight kills and 12 digs in the victory. Cassidy Wheeler made her impact on the game as she put up 18 assists and 11 digs in her time on the court.

Koch and Canete both got out to a fast start in the first set as the duo teamed up to record eight kills as the Mavs claimed the opening set 26-24.

The second set was a more even offensive outing as six players recorded kills for the Mavericks, including four players with two kills apiece. Cassidy Wheeler helped direct the offense as her four assists and three digs contributed to UTA taking the set 25-21.

The third and final set belonged to Stacey Koch offensively as she put up seven kills with just one error and an attack percentage of .545. Taylor Story also helped UTA in the final set as she recorded six digs.

With the Cougars having the chance to take the third set as they led 24-23, UTA stormed back, ending the match on a 5-2 run to take the set 28-26.

UT Arlington edged out Houston in hitting percentage as the Mavericks garnered a .161 hit percentage compared to .154 for the Cougars

UTA 3, McNeese State 1

After dropping the first set of the match, UT Arlington came back to win three straight over McNeese State. The Mavericks hit .206 compared to just .138 for the Cowgirls.

Welsh and Wheeler helped guide the Mavericks offense as they combined for 40 kills. Caitlyn Cooney also helped out in the win as she put up 30 digs.

The Mavericks built up a 17-12 lead in the first set, but McNeese state rallied and ended up taking the set 29-27. Taylor Gross got a great start out of the gate as she recorded four kills, one error and a hitting percentage of .429 in the opening set.

UTA regained control of the match in the second set when it jumped out to a 13-6 lead thanks to a block by Gross and Ashley Bennett. After weathering a run by the Cowgirls, the Mavs answered with one of their own as they scored four straight points to end the set with the final point coming off of a Canete kill from a Welsh set. Canete stepped up for UTA as she recorded 11 kills and ten digs in the victory

Canete was outstanding in the second set as she recorded five kills and a hitting percentage of .444 with three digs. Gross also continued her superior play as she recorded kills on four of her nine attacks and ended the set hitting .444.

With the third set tied at 20 points apiece, it looked to be another nail biter, but the Mavs ended the set on a 5-1 run to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Koch provided support in the set as she put up three kills, zero errors and a hitting percentage of .429. Koch also got in on two blocks for UTA in the set.

The Mavericks left no doubt in the fourth and final set as they used a 12-2 run to take a commanding 23-13 lead. The run was capped off by a kill by Hannah Baptiste from a Welsh set. UTA ended up taking the set 25-18. Baptiste was nearly flawless as she recorded six of her career-high 11 kills in the final set along with a hitting percentage of .333.

UT Arlington will wrap up the final day of The Big Daddy's Invitational on Saturday when it takes on Jackson State at 11 a.m. and Louisiana Tech at 3:30 p.m.