Aug. 27, 2010
EDINBURG, Texas - The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) Broncs topped the Lamar University Cardinals 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21) in the fourth match of the UTPA Fall Tournament Aug. 27 at the UTPA Wellness and Recreation Complex.
UTPA claimed the early 3-0 lead in game one following three straight kills from senior Marci Logan. A Bronc service error gave Lamar their first point of the game, and the Cardinals slowly caught up to UTPA tying the game 12-12. However, a kill from senior Kaitlin Vasquez sent the Broncs on a 7-0 run to take the 19-12 lead. Once again, the Cardinals fought back and brought the game within 1 point near the end of the set 24-23, but a kill from Vasquez secured the Broncs' set 1 25-23 win.
Lamar took the early 4-0 lead in set 2 and held their largest lead of 5 points over the Broncs 6-1. A kill from senior Rita Gonzalez got UTPA back on track and they eventually took the lead 10-9 following three attack errors by the Cardinals. The Broncs maintained the lead until Lamar went on a 5-0 run and eventually tied the game 20-20. A kill by Lamar's Megan Schwartz gave the Cardinals control at 21-20. Lamar claimed set 2 25-22.
Senior Meghan Fichtel scored the first point of the third set followed by a kill from Jimena Gandara to give the Broncs a 2-0 lead. However, Lamar quickly took the lead 3-2 and maintained control of the set until UTPA took the 15-14 lead following a kill by Gonzalez. From there, the Broncs seized control of the set and won 25-20.
In the fourth set, the Broncs grabbed the 1-0 lead and didn't let go until Lamar took their only lead of 1 point 10-9. The Broncs secured the win following a 7-0 run. The Cardinals tried to come back, but the UTPA claimed the match 25-21.
"Obviously with Maria going down in the first match, it was hard to come back. The positioning was off and we really had to adjust. After the match we talked about it and Maria is fine. The girls remembered the commitments this year and we came together. All the credit is on the team and deciding they wanted this game," head coach Angela Hubbard said.
Logan led the Broncs will 17 points and 15 kills followed by Vasquez with 15 points, 11 kills and Gonzalez with 15 points, 10 kills.
The UTPA Fall Tournament will conclude tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 28 when Lamar and Idaho State face off at 10 a.m. The Broncs will take on Oral Roberts in the final game of the tournament at 1 p.m.
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