ARLINGTON, TEXAS –The UT Arlington volleyball team (28-2,16-0 WAC) advanced to the championship of the WAC volleyball tournament with a 3-2 thriller (16-25, 25-18, 15-25, 27-25,15-10) over the California Baptist Lancers (8-22, 7-9 WAC) this Friday at the College Park Center. 
 
The Mavs were able to persevere after trailing two sets to one to claim its first appearance in a conference championship since 2002, and its first WAC conference championship appearance in program history.
 
With the fourth set tied 22-22, Sophie Ocampo delivered her first of three clutch kills to help secure the set, giving UTA a 23-22 lead before a Mavs service error knotted the set again. Ocampo struck again to give UTA set point, 24-23, but a second Mavs service error followed by a Lancer ace gave CBU match point, 25-24.

Ocampo's match-extending kill, her third in a row, tied the set at 25. Following a CBU service error, Brianna Ford's kill gave UTA the win in set 4, 27-25, tying the match two sets apiece.
 
The decisive fifth set stayed close early with neither team leading by more than 2 points, and the Lancers edged in front, 8-7, when the teams switched sides. CBU continued to push UTA, taking a 10-9 lead in the fifth set before the Mavericks final run finished the Lancers. UTA ran off six straight points behind Ford's serve and three kills from Donkers to finish the set, 15-10.
 
Brianna Ford had an immaculate match with 29 kills, which is a career-high, and recorded 14 digs for a double-double. Additionally, the graduate from Amarillo, Texas had two service aces, and four total blocks. Additionally, Ford officially moved into second all-time in career digs in UTA history with 1,747 and now sits 40 kills away from matching Heather Hoy's 1,787 mark which has stood since 1997.
 
Sjakkie Donkers had herself a double-double in the win with 15 kills and 12 digs while Mollie Blank, the graduate setter from Mansfield, Texas, also had a double-double with 49 assists and 17 digs.
 
Samantha Glenn had a strong defensive game with 21 digs, her third-most amount in match this season. Jalie Tritt came into the match in the third set and produced six kills behind a .300 hitting percentage, the highest of any Maverick (min. 10 attacks)
 
THOUGHTS FROM COACH
"Very proud of this team," said head coach J.T. Wenger. "We knew this match was going to be a battle, and our squad had their backs against the wall multiple times. However, they were able to come together and rally back after a tough match. The crowd was great again tonight, and our team was able to feed into that. Excellent win."
 
NEXT UP
The first-seeded Mavs play in the 2024 WAC volleyball championship against the second-seeded Grand Canyon Lopes at 6 p.m. CT. at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. 
 
UT ARLINGTON VS GRAND CANYON COVERAGE
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All Students with a valid student ID can attend the matches for free.
   
 
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