TEMPE, Ariz. - UTA Volleyball's win streak in season openers come to an end on Friday afternoon with Arizona State taking advantage of serving errors in a 3-1 final at the Wells Fargo Arena to open the Sun Devil Classic. 

The Mavericks (0-1) had won their previous seven lid lifters dating back to 2011, but 20 service errors in the match prevented the Mavs to build up any momentum. The Mavs get back to action quick in the four-team tournament with back-to-back matches on Saturday against New Mexico State and Pacific to round out the team's stay. 

Arizona State, improving to 6-0 all-time against UTA, took advantage of six service errors in the first two sets by the Mavericks to run out to a quick 2-0 lead. Multiple spurts from the Sun Devils saw several runs of more than four points in a row during the opening two frames as UTA couldn't get in rhythm. The Mavs found their stride in the third, leading from start to finish in the set with Madison McConnell smashing a kill down the middle to finish it off. 

However, it was the Sun Devils that opened the fourth with a commanding lead. UTA was unable to get an answer to a quick early run with Arizona State taking the opener of the tournament.  

FROM COACH J.T. WENGER
"We definitely improved from a week ago from our scrimmage. There were things that we did pretty well and blocked about 10 balls tonight, that was higher than our average from last season and that was very exciting to see. Michaela Wright was a presence in both blocking and attacking and she had a nice debut for us"

About the service troubles
"It was a bummer to give our opponents so many free points. Looking back at the match that was the difference for this one. Our hitting stats were similar to them, they out hit us but we didn't have many opportunities to play. There's no way around it to only have two aces and give up that many chances."

About Saturday's opponents
"New Mexico State is a power in the WAC and are talented in how they play as well as Pacific in being a very good team. New Mexico State has a few really good players that will be key to lock down on our side. Madison Hill hit .500 for us and we will need to continue to hit the ball. We just need to continue getting the ball to our hot hitters and improve in our offense."

MAVERICK LEADERS
Despite the team hitting at just a .168 clip, there were positives from the offense with four hitters accounting for at least seven kills. Petra Manderson joined with Zhanelle Geathers to lead with eight kills apiece, while Madison Hill and Michaela Wright notched seven. Hill paced the attack with a .500 hitting percentage on 28 total attacks.

Madelyn St. Germain provided a double-digit performance as the libero, picking up a team-high 16 digs. In her first match as the team's setter, Kylee Kapp picked up 16 assists and seven digs, while Wright provided a team-high five blocks, followed closely by Hill with four.

GLANCING AT SATURDAY'S FOES
Saturday's matchup against New Mexico State is the first between the program's since they met in 2012, UTA pulled out a 3-2 win in Arlington. NM State leads the series all-time 5-3. UTA is also looking for its first win over Pacific as the Tigers own a 3-0 record. However, Saturday's match is the first between the squads since 1990. 

HOME OPENER ON AUG. 31
The Mavericks come home to College Park Center on Friday, Aug. 31 when they host Air Force at 6:30 p.m. The match marks the first of three at CPC next weekend, taking on Loyola Maryland (1:30 p.m.) and Binghamton (6:30 p.m.) on Sept. 1. 

Season Tickets On Sale Now
Volleyball tickets for the 2018 UTA season are officially on sale through UTATickets.com and at the UTA College Park Center Box Office! 
 
The Mavs will host 13 total home matches at the gorgeous College Park Center, including a pair of tournaments to open the home slate. UTA will welcome Air Force, Loyola Maryland, Binghamton, Grand Canyon, Belmont and Sam Houston State for tournaments before hosting seven Sun Belt Conference games. All student tickets are free for all athletic home events. Students are asked to scan their UTA Student ID. 
 
Season tickets are available for $50, while single-game tickets can be purchased for $6 and group tickets (10 or more) at $3. Season tickets will go on sale Monday, July 23 at 10 am at UTAtickets.com while single game tickets are expected to go on sale in early August. Fans can also get the Mav Mania All-Sports Pass, which is $99 and includes access to all home athletic sporting events! For more information visit UTAtickets.com or call the College Park Center Box Office from 9-5 on Monday-Friday at 817.272.9595.