Aug. 28, 2015
Final Stats
Photo Gallery | Final Stats
By Paul Watley | @WatP7
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington was fast out of the gate and never looked back in a three-set sweep of Campbell in the team's season opener on Friday night.
"We came out with a lot of energy and that was one of the things that we talked about and the goal that they set for themselves," UT Arlington coach Diane Seymour said. "That's what opening night is about. Not only do you want to get your first win and get the jitters out, but you want to create the identity for who you are going to be all year and make a statement about your play and personality."
The Mavericks, led by double-digit kills from Stacey Koch and Qiana Canete, registered a hitting percentage of .330, while holding the Camels to hitting .125. UTA was also able to register 38 assists, including a career-high 31 from junior setter Cassidy Wheeler.
Koch and Canete paced the Mavs offense as the duo registered 22 of the team's 43 kills. Koch also contributed to the Mavs stingy defensive effort as she notched a match-high four blocks. Freshmen middle blockers Zhanelle Geathers and Marisah Ingram chipped in with six kills apiece.
UT Arlington jumped out of the gate with a 25-17 opening set that included five straight points to make the score 14-9. Later, a solo block by Canete ended the set with the Mavs on top.
The second set was highlighted by five kills apiece from Koch and Canete. The duo hit .500 and .455 in the set respectively, helping UTA claim the second set 25-17. Wheeler also spurred the Mavs offensive output with 14 assists in the second frame.
A balanced offensive approach in the third set propelled the Mavericks to victory in a deciding 25-18 set. Seven UTA players registered kills in the set, including three from Koch and Ashlynn Ford.
"We'll have to be prepared," Seymour said of the second day of the Maverick Classic. "We've got to come in tomorrow and Grambling is going to be better than they were today. We've got to come out and focus on ourselves in the 1:30 match."
The Mavericks will return to action on Saturday when they wrap up the Maverick Classic with games against Grambling State at 1:30 p.m. and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 7 p.m.
