PULLMAN, Wash. - The UT Arlington volleyball team defeated Liberty and fell to tournament host Washington State on day one of the Cougar Challenge on Friday. The Mavs took down the Flames 3-0 (25-22, 25-9, 25-18) on Friday afternoon, before falling 25-20, 25-13, 25-14 to Washington State.

UTA now moves to 5-3 overall on the season and will face Idaho State Saturday afternoon (2:30 p.m.) to close out the Cougar Challenge.

MATCH 1 | UTA 3, LIBERTY 0
In the first-ever meeting between the Mavs and the Flames, UTA picked up the 3-0 (25-22, 25-9, 25-18) sweep at Washington State's Bohler Gym.   

The Mavericks dominated the matchup, outhitting Liberty .382-.140 for the match, while also leading in blocks (9-4.5), digs (31-28) and aces (4-1). Brooke Townsend hit .550 and finished with a match-high 12 kills.

The opening set saw Liberty grab a 1-point lead (21-20) late in the set. The Mavs went on to outscore LU 5-1 to close out the frame and pick up the 25-22 win. UTA outhit Liberty .312-.229 in the game and Townsend led all players with six kills.

The second set was all UTA, as the Mavs hit .400 and cruised to a 25-9 victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

The Mavs completed the sweep with a 25-18 win in the third set. A Liberty kill pulled the Flames to within 2 points (14-12), but UTA outscored Liberty 11-6 to pull away and take the set and match.

MATCH 2 | UTA 0, WASHINGTON STATE 3
In their second game of the Cougar Challenge, the Mavs were on the wrong side of a sweep, as Washington State beat UTA 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-14) on Friday. The Cougars entered the day ranked No. 31 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national poll.
 
The Mavs (5-3) stayed within four points of Washington State (7-1) most of the first set, closing the gap to as little as two points late in the frame. However, the Cougars won the final three points to take the first set 25-20.
 
UTA trailed 6-5 in the second set before Washington State won 14 of the next 19 points en route to a 25-13 win. The Cougars had a similarly commanding start to the final set, jumping out to a 15-5 lead. They eventually closed out the game with a 25-14 win in the third set.
 
Townsend and Kylie Jedlicka finished tied with a match-leading eight kills. Petra Manderson chipped in with four kills. In her first collegiate match back in her home state, Devon Martinka, a native of Stanwood, Wash., led UTA with a .250 hitting percentage. Jessica Stancliff had a team-high 12 assists, while Kylee Kapp assisted on seven points.

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