Oct. 8, 2016
Final Stats | 
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By Cassie Logan | @c4ssielogan
ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington volleyball found itself on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision against Arkansas State on Military Appreciation Night Saturday at College Park Center.
A lack of energy was the Achilles heel as the Mavericks dropped to 10-11 overall and 4-2 in Sun Belt play. Dropping its first conference match since 2014 to Texas State on Friday night fueled a fire for Arkansas State (13-7, 5-1), who has now stolen six of the last seven matchups against UTA.
The Red Wolves came out swinging and nearly doubled UTA's kill production in a 25-19 Set 1 victory built from a 4-0 run to open the match. UTA gained its first lead 13-12, but Arkansas State would later find a way to distance itself with a trio of kills.
The Mavericks never gave up in the second set despite trailing by seven twice throughout the frame. Down 24-16, UTA had a late comeback in the works with three straight points, but a final kill handed Arkansas State the missing piece to a 2-0 match lead. UTA dug its heels into the final set and stayed within three of the Red Wolves, until a consistent hitting effort finally wore the Mavs down enough to seal the match 25-22.
KEY STATS
Arkansas State out-matched UTA where it mattered most. The Red Wolves turned in 56 kills to the Mavs' 35, and out-dug them 63-52. Arkansas State also totaled eight blocks, while UTA scraped up two.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
MILESTONE WATCH
Reigning Sun Belt Freshman of the Week Taylor Murata moved into eighth on UTA's freshman digs list after her fifth during Set 1.
QUOTABLES
UTA coach Diane Seymour on the team's performance
"Arkansas State came to play tonight. They lost one last night and hadn't lost a Sun Belt match in over a year and they came ready toplay and we didn't. We weren't ready to play until the third set. They are a very talented team and they kept punching us in the mouth and we kept taking it and were backing up until it was too late."
Seymour on what to take from the match heading into Thursday vs. Texas State
"I hope our team can learn to respond told them in the locker room that they have to play with the same type of aggression in the third set at the start of the match. Hopefully they learn something from ASU, who lost a disappointing match last night and came ready to play."
Taylor Murata on moving up the freshman single-season digs list
"I have just been trying my hardest and am kind of paying attention but kind of not, just trying to go all out on every play."
Kaitlyn Granger on the offensive performance heading into Texas State
"My main goal was to recover from last night. I didn't do so well last night so I was focused on trying to hit the shots tonight and lead the team to a win, but that didn't happen tonight. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and it will make us go out harder against Texas State."
UP NEXT
The Mavericks host rival Texas State for UTA's annual Dig Pink Match at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
