UTRGV narrowly beats Utah 3-2

In a toe-to-toe match at home tonight, the Vaqueras beat the Utah Tech University Bisons 3-2, bringing UTRGV’s overall record to 14-4.

Volleyball Head coach Todd Lowery said the team hit some bumps during the game. 

“We weren’t very crisp, that’s for sre,” Lowery said. “I think they tipped or rolled the first nine balls, and we let them fall. And that’s something that we’ve been really good about not letting happen. And we had to make some adjustments on that.”

While the Vaqueras had problems in teamwork during the game, they ultimately made a comeback.

 “I think, once we settled back in and just started passing and playing together and supporting each other then, then we were OK,” Lowery said. “So that’s our job. How do we get them focused in and get them really ready to prepare no matter who we’re playing? And, I mean … that’s on us as a staff to challenge them and get them up and, hopefully, they rise to the challenge.”

Utah (6-6 overall) dominated the first set, but UTRGV surged ahead, winning 25-20.

“Utah [Tech] is a little bit different,” Lowery said. “We really weren’t prepared for their setter to attack as much as she did, and [we] probably should have been. I thought that she did a nice job, especially early, kind of stressing us out.”

In a crowd-pumping back and forth, the Vaqueras secured the second set 33-31.

Outside hitter Perris Key said she loved the crowd.

“I love it,” Key said. “Sometimes, it’s a little nerve-racking coming in and seeing everybody sitting there. But, honestly, I love the community here and how much they support us. You can really feel it on the court.”

In the third set, the Bisons scored 25-15, keeping the energy high.

Outside hitter Sarah Cruz said the team has to give 100% all the time.

“We just got too comfortable and then we weren’t able to put away balls [and] we couldn’t pass,” Cruz said. “We didn’t communicate [and] we had no energy on the court. And I think that’s something we as a team need to work on. Because, you’ll see in a couple of our matches, that happens a lot. 

“Whether it’s the first set or it’s after the second set, we tend to just either come out relaxed or [get] relaxed throughout the game. So I think that’s one area we really need to work on.”

Utah Tech University swept the fourth set 25-9, tying the match 2-2, and the Vaqueras won the final set 15-11, securing their win.

“Hats off to our girls at the end to be able to regroup and then actually go and be really good in the fifth set,” Lowery said.

UTRGV will play Southern Utah University at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. For more information, visit goutrgv.com.