Volleyball 11/20/2025 3:25:00 PM

#2 Volleyball Opens SLC Tournament Run Friday Against #7 Houston Christian University

COMMERCE, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros, the #2 seed in the Southland Conference (SLC) Championship tournament, open their title chase Friday at 1 p.m. in a quarterfinals match against the #7 Houston Christian University Huskies at The Field House at East Texas A&M.

UTRGV (20-7, 15-1 SLC) closed the regular season on a 14-match winning streak, the longest in program history, to secure a share of the regular season championship. The Vaqueros will be chasing their second tournament title and auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament this week in Commerce, Texas, looking to reach the big dance for the first time since 2016.

Houston Christian University (12-17, 7-9 SLC) closed the regular season losing four consecutive matches. This will be the third meeting between these squads this season and fifth in the last two seasons.

Head-to-Head History
• UTRGV is 11-15 all-time against the Huskies in a series dating back to 1988.
• UTRGV has won the last four matches between these programs. The Vaqueros defeated HCU in Houston, 3-1, in October before sweeping the Huskies in Edinburg two weeks ago.

Last Time Out
• The Vaqueros secured their first Southland Conference regular season championship with a 3-0 (25-10, 25-19, 25-17) sweep at East Texas A&M. UTRGV took control of the match quickly with a near flawless first set, putting down 22 kills with zero errors and notching a .629 hitting percentage in the frame. The Vaqueros hit .407 overall while holding the Lions to .104, totaling 53 kills to ETAMU's 27. Outside hitters Martina Franco and Dimitra Nanou paced UTRGV with 14 and 13 kills each while redshirt sophomore middle blocker Julianna Bryant added 10 kills with five blocks. Franco and Nanou both had double-doubles int he match as they led all players with 18 and 16 digs, respectively. Junior setter Isabella Costantini dished out 45 assists and served three aces.
• The Huskies lost their regular season finale, 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-20), at home to the UIW Cardinals. HCU was held to .094 hitting. Cassidy Drapela paced the Huskies with a double-double, recording 10 kills, 14 digs and three blocks. Madison Hess dished out 30 assists and Bianca Byerly had 17 digs.

Complete match notes can be found here:

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