Oct. 8, 2010
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) Broncs Volleyball team fell 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-18) to the University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes tonight in Vermillion, S.D.
The Broncs and the Coyotes swapped the lead several times throughout the first set. Jimena Gandara and Rita Gonzalez chipped in kills to help UTPA gain its first advantage 4-3. The Broncs lead slowly grew to 14-11, but USD went on a 3-0 run to tie UTPA at 14. Sarah Davis responded with a kill that put the Broncs back on top 15-14. Both teams kept fighting for control, but the Coyotes stole their final lead 22-21. Despite kills from Gonzalez and Marci Logan, USD claimed game one 26-24.
The Coyotes took the early lead in set two and gained a 4-point advantage 10-6. Several USD errors allowed UTPA to close the gap to one, 12-11. Points from Meghan Fichtel and Ijanae Holman helped the Broncs remain close behind, 16-13. It did not last long though, the Coyotes' lead quickly grew following Bronc errors and kills from Kristin Kritenbrink and Tahnee Reed. The Coyotes took game two 25-17.
UTPA came back fighting in set three with points from Holman and Fichtel, but the Coyotes also responded and took their first lead 6-5. Holman chipped in a kill, followed by two from Logan that kept the Broncs within 2 points 10-8. Tori Kroll pushed the Coyotes ahead with a kill that started a 5-0 run to give USD the 18-12 advantage. The Broncs responded with two points - one on a Coyote error and the other on a kill by Fichtel to bring the score to 18-14. USD responded with a 4-0 run that put them ahead 23-15. Holman and Logan recorded two more kills in an attempt to stop the Coyotes, but USD won the match point 25-18.
Logan led the Broncs with 8 kills and 14 digs. Fichtel also recorded 8 kills, followed by Holman with 7.
The Broncs will be back in action at home Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. when they host the Wolverines of Utah Valley University. The match will mark the first game in the newly renovated UTPA Fieldhouse.
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