LUBBOCK, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros volleyball team fell to Portland State, 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-17), in their second match of the day in the Red Raider Classic at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Outside hitter Martina Franco led UTRGV (2-5) with 12 kills and 10 digs for her second double-double of the day. Setter Lana Rnjak pitched in with 25 assists and eight digs. Middle blocker Julianna Bryant and Rnjak each had three blocks.
Katarina Kosic led the attack for Portland State (4-4) with 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .647. Ashley Repetti added seven kills and a team-best 12 digs. Elisabeth Levick led the Vikings with 16 assists on the night.
The Vikings rolled in with momentum from their first match of the day and maintained it through the match, starting with an 11-8 lead off a 3-0 run midway through the first set. Portland State would stretch the advantage going into the media timeout, but a kill by Bryant right down the middle pulled UTRGV back within three, 16-13.
The Vikings strung together another set of short runs and were quickly ahead 23-15 late in the first. UTRGV managed to stave off one set point, but the Vikings would go on to take it, 25-16.
Portland State carried the momentum into the second, jumping out to a 6-2 lead before a timeout was called. The Vaqueros responded with a 4-0 run aided by a kill and an assisted block from middle blocker Aaliyah Snead to knot things up at 6-6. From there it was a tug-of-war as the two teams could not be separated by more than two points. Defensive specialist and Brownsville St. Joseph alum Carmina Tijerina served an ace as part of a 3-0 run to give UTRGV its first lead at 14-13. A kill from Kosic sparked a massive 7-1 run which carried the Vikings to a 25-19 set win and 2-0 match lead.
The Vikings continued to roll in the third, opening a 5-2 lead. Bryant fired one through the middle before an ace from Petkovic brought the Vaqueros within one. UTRGV scored four in a row behind strong play from Bryant and Rnjak up front. The Vikings battled back to take a 16-13 advantage midway through the third set. UTRGV's efficiency dropped late in the match and Portland State capitalized to secure the sweep with a 25-17 set win.
The Vaqueros return to the court Friday at 10:30 a.m. for their final match at the Red Raider Classic against Prairie View A&M.
