Mavs Claim First Conference Championship Since 2002 With Five-Set Win Over GCU

Saturday, November 23

Arlington, Texas

6 PM

University of Texas Arlington

29-2,16-0WAC

No. 2 Grand Canyon University

20-11,11-5WAC

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Grand Canyon	25	17	25	23	14	2
UT Arlington	20	25	20	25	16	3

PDF Box Score

Mavs Claim First Conference Championship Since 2002 With Five-Set Win Over GCU

11/23/2024 9:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Marshall Wolfe

HOW THEY DID IT: TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP COMEBACK
VIDEO REVIEW: BELIEVE
VOLLEYBALL WINS 1ST REGULAR SEASON TITLE SINCE 2022
PURCHASE CHAMPIONSHIP MERCHANDISE

ARLINGTON, TEXAS –The UT Arlington volleyball team (29-2,16-0 WAC) won the WAC volleyball championship with a 3-2 thriller (20-25, 25-17, 20-25, 27-23,16-14) over the Grand Canyon Lopes (19-11,11-5 WAC) Saturday night at the College Park Center to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The win marked the first conference championship since 2002, and the first Western Athletic Conference championship in program history.

In an absolute dramatic fashion, the Mavs rattled off five-straight points in set five to snatch away the championship from the Lopes, who were in match point at 14-11.

Brianna Ford, the WAC Player of the Year, was named the tournament's most outstanding player after recording 25 kills, 16 digs and five blocks in the championship game. Sjakkie Donkers had a phenomenal game with 12 kills and 26 digs.

Paige Reagor pitched in 13 kills and six total blocks in the championship match while Mollie Blank had a match-high 56 assists and 13 digs in the win. Blank was named to the all-tournament team.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH
"A remarkable win," said head coach J.T. Wenger. "This team once again had their backs against the wall and they were able to pull it through. So proud of everyone, our fans were electric tonight, and they stayed with us even when we were down. Proud of this team."

2024 WAC Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Madison Gilliland, Gr., MB, California Baptist
Bella Wooden, Jr., MB, Utah Valley
Ashley Lifgren, Gr., OH, Grand Canyon
Tatum Parrott, Jr., OH, Grand Canyon
Mollie Blank, Gr., S, UT Arlington
Sjakkie Donkers, Fr., OH, UT Arlington
Brianna Ford, Gr., OH, UT Arlington – Most Outstanding Player

NEXT UP
The Mavericks earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with a win, the selection show takes place on Dec. 1 at 5 PM CT on ESPN.

#BuckEm

FOLLOW THE MAVS
For the latest news on UTA Volleyball, log on to UTAMavs.com or stay connected to the Mavs on social media. Follow the Mavericks on Twitter @UTAMavsVB, on Instagram @UTAMavsVB and on Facebook at Facebook.com/UTAMavsVB.