RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros volleyball team swept the Texas A&M International Dustdevils 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 in a closed exhibition match Saturday at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. 
 
Sophomore outside hitter Claudia Lupescu and senior outside hitter Sarah Cruz led the Vaqueros offense with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Lupescu also recorded a match-high 18 digs, showing off her all-around abilities. Sophomore setter Luanna Emiliano dished out 35 assists. 
 
Mackenzie Catalina led TAMIU offensively with 16 kills, while Los Fresnos alum Jasmin Garcia added three aces. Emma Lade recorded 26 assists and libero Lixai Perez tabbed 11 digs. 
 
Emiliano used all of her pins in the opening set, and the variety kept the Dustdevils on their heels. UTRGV was able to drop well-placed tips and open up a 16-8 lead. Cruz led the offensive charge with five kills in the first set, while junior opposite Maria Eduarda Rodrigues, sophomore middle blocker Margherita Giani and Lupescu also impressed. 
 
Missed serves by the Vaqueros and the dangerous left-handed swing of TAMIU opposite Megan Menchaca helped the Dustdevils find a groove and close the deficit to 17-13. Catalina and Hannah Thompson used the UTRGV block to their advantage, sending hits from the edges off the block for points. 
 
Some mishaps by the Vaqueros trimmed the difference to 23-21, but UTRGV held on to take the opening frame 25-21. 
 
The second set was tightly contested at the start, but the Vaqueros pulled away to an 18-11 advantage behind a heavy dose of Lupescu and a high-energy attack. UTRGV head coach Todd Lowery tested the depth of his lineup in the second frame. Sophomore outside hitter Ingridy Foltran and freshman middle blocker Brooke Box were two key contributors off the bench to UTRGV's 25-17 set victory. 
 
TAMIU made some adjustments and came out strong in the third set, taking an early 5-2 lead. The Dustdevils continued to attack the block from the end pins for points. The two teams swapped scores from 9-9 to 15-15, then the Vaqueros opened up a 19-15 advantage with good defensive reads and a solid attack. 
 
The Dustdevils tied the set once again at 22-22 following back-to-back aces from Garcia. A booming kill from Cruz got the Vaqueros to their first match point, then a kill by Foltran secured the sweep with a 25-23 third set victory. 
 
The Vaqueros open the regular season at the North Texas Invite Aug. 26-27 facing UNLV, Jacksonville and North Texas. UTRGV's home opener is set for Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the South Texas Showdown presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union.  

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