OREM, Utah – The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) Broncs Volleyball team (7-19, 4-6 GWC)fell 3-0 (26-24, 25-19, 25-20) to the Utah Valley University (UVU) Wolverines (18-10 7-3 GWC) Friday, Nov. 4 in Orem, Utah.
Game one of tonight's match started close, with Meghan Fichtel scoring the first kill for the Broncs. UVU remained closely behind until points from Sarah Davis, Rita Gonzalez and Ijanae Holman pushed UTPA ahead by 5 points 16-11. The Wolverines' Sarah Clement responded with a kill that sent UVU on a 6-0 run to steal the 17-16 lead. Marci Logan tied the game at 17 with a kill, but the Wolverines took the 18-17 lead following a Broncs service error. Again, Logan responded to the Wolverines and Meghan Fichtel chipped in a pair of kills that helped UTPA regain a 2 point lead 21-19. UVU answered with a 4-0 run and took the 23-21 lead. Fichtel again fought back and Ariana Bermea tallied a service ace, but UTPA could not get past the Wolverines. UVU claimed set one 26-24.
Both teams came out fighting in set two, staying within 2 points of each other until the Wolverines broke away on a 5-0 run to take a 20-14 lead. Davis fought back with 2 kills and a service ace to bring the Broncs within 4 points 21-17. Despite a kill from Logan and another from Fichtel, UTPA could not come back. The Wolverines won set two 25-19.
The Wolverines took control early in set three and held a 4 point advantage 9-4, but UVU errors and kills from Logan and Gonzalez helped the Broncs tie the game at 10. A kill from Clement moved the Wolverines ahead as they took a 5 point 19-13 lead. UTPA fought back and was able to close their deficit to 3 points 20-17, but could not top the Wolverines. UVU won the match point 25-20.
Fichtel led the Broncs with 15 kills, followed by Logan with 11. Gonzalez led UTPA in assists with 35 and 8 digs. Bermea also tallied 9 digs for the Broncs.
Next up, the Broncs travel to Prairie View A&M to take on the Panthers Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. (CT).
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