UTPA DROPS A PAIR AT INDEPENDENT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

FORT WAYNE, IN-The University of Texas-Pan American's volleyball team dropped their first two matches at the Independent Championships Friday. The Lady Broncs lost to Northern Colorado, 30-28, 30-24 and 30-25, and then fell to Utah Valley State, 30-20, 30-26 and 30-28, at the Gates Sports Center.

Sophomore middle blocker Stephanie Redd (Seguin, TX/Seguin HS) led Texas-Pan American against UNC with 15 kills and a hitting percentage of .226, while junior outside hitter Cathi Netemeyer (Los Fresnos, TX/Los Fresnos HS/Iowa) had 14 kills and hit .276. Senior outside hitter Jaclyn Muszynski (Walnut, CA/Walnut HS) had eight kills and 13 digs, freshman outside hitter Heather Bravo (Las Vegas, NV/Durango HS) had eight kills and 12 digs, while freshman libero Carol Marcengo (Curitiba, Brazil/SPEI HS) added 12 digs.

Terin Ledall and Amanda Wiggins had 12 kills apiece for UNC, while Kristi Krom had 18 digs. The Bears outhit the Lady Broncs, .302-.210.

Netemeyer had 11 kills and hit .292 against UVSC, Bravo had 12 kills and nine digs, and Muszynski had nine kills and 18 digs.

Jenny Weed had 14 kills for the Wolverines, Malia Roberts added 13, and Kassidy Brotherson had 10.

"We played in spurts against Utah Valley State," said UTPA Head Coach Dave Thorn. "We made too many mistakes, and didn't make plays at critical times. Against Northern Colorado, we made a few mistakes, and that was the difference in a close match. Each game, they made a little run at the end, and you can't afford to let a good team do that. We didn't block very well, and, as a result, we didn't slow their attack down. They're a very good defensive team."

Texas-Pan American had 99 kills in the two matches, and broke the single season record for kills. The Lady Broncs now have 1815 kills, breaking the mark of 1751 set in 2000.

UTPA fell to 18-14 with the losses. Northern Colorado improved to 29-2, and UVSC is now 8-12. Texas-Pan American will conclude tournament action when they play Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and host IPFW Saturday.

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