On tired legs, UTRGV volleyball (1-9, 1-7) falls to California Baptist University (5-6, 4-6) in straight sets (12-25, 19-25, 21-25) as they split the season series on the second day of a back-to-back earlier today at the Fieldhouse.
The Vaqueros notched the first points of the match as Lancers’ senior outside hitter Calissa Hoye committed an attacking error.
Despite the early match miscue, Hoye would lead all players with 13 kills and three aces.
CBU then launched an attacking barrage going on a 10-3 run and after two points by UTRGV senior outside hitter Samret Caraballo and sophomore outside hitter Victoire Nama, the Lancers went on a 12-5 run to take the first set.
In the second set, it looked to be more of the same for CBU as they led 3-1 but UTRGV off of a kill from freshman outside hitter Ada Bulger sparked a 5-1 to go back on top 6-4.
Both teams traded blows until the score was tied at 10 all. The Lancers then went on the offensive as they broke away from the Vaqueros on an 8-1 run to have a commanding 18-11 lead on the set.
UTRGV mounted a late push behind senior middle blocker Veronica Jandova and Nama to get within two, 17-19, but CBU responded with a 6-2 run to take the second set.
Jandova would lead the Vaqueros with nine kills, one ace and two block assists across three sets.
In the third set both teams refused to give an inch as they were tied at 17 all.
The Lancers then went on a five-point run as sophomore outside hitter Christine Graf got a kill and libero Paige Johnstone recorded a service ace to go along with an attacking error, a service error and a ball handling error by the Vaqueros to lead 21-17.
Johnstone would finish with a game-high 14 digs and three aces.
UTRGV attempted to force a fourth set as they scored four of the next five points with a Caraballo kill and a Johnstone service error and a Hoye and junior middle blocker Ellie Voss attacking error to trail 21-22.
Voss then recorded a kill and Hoye secured the victory for the Lancers with two service aces.
After the game, in a news conference via Zoom, UTRGV Head Coach Todd Lowery spoke about how the quick turnaround from Monday’s match affected his team’s play.
“For me, it looked like we’re just a little tired. Didn’t have enough, they had a little bit more,” Lowery said. “We didn’t bounce back quite as good as we need to on these short turnarounds and legs looked a little tired. We didn’t get after it on defense like we did yesterday and we were quite a bit higher on error on the attack than we were yesterday.”
Recovery from quick turnarounds on back-to-backs were a point coming into the season for the coaching staff. Lowery said the team’s conditioning has improved, from lack of practice time and injuries, as the season has progressed but the team still needs more time in the gym.
“We’ve really, probably since Dixie [State], we really started pushing some extra conditioning, just general day-to-day stuff, not even volleyball related, just where we’re trying to get in better shape,” he said.
The next series for the Vaqueros will be on the road 8 p.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Tuesday against Seattle U.
Lowery’s focus this coming week of practice will be fine-tuning the new rotation that has junior outside hitter Sara Cruz playing in the middle alongside Jandova.
“I think our middles can be a big part of our offense down the stretch as they both get comfortable, work a little bit more in transition instead of just getting the ball out of serve receive we need to get on the ball off of defense,” Lowery said.
You can watch next week’s matches live on the WAC Digital Network at wacdigitalnetwork.com.
Twitter: @Radio_Rubio
