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For Immediate
Release: Monday, October 28, 2002 LADY BRONC VOLLEYBALL TEAM LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING STREAK EDINBURG, TX- For the third time in the history of the program, The University of Texas-Pan American volleyball team has won seven consecutive matches. The Lady Broncs will look to continue their winning ways when they host in-state rival Southwest Texas State Tuesday evening. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse. Texas-Pan American is closing in on equaling their longest winning streak ever. That happened last year, when the Lady Broncs closed the season with nine consecutive victories. "We are really playing well as a team," said UTPA Head Coach Dave Thorn. "When you play well and practice hard, good things will happen. We have gained some confidence, and it has snowballed for us." UT Pan American has won ten of their last twelve matches, and that has propelled them to an 11-12 overall record. The Lady Broncs have won five of seven home matches this season. A major factor in the Lady Broncs' resurgence is the play of juniors Winker Cruz (Harlingen, TX/Harlingen South HS) and Jaclyn Muszynski (Walnut, CA/Walnut HS). Cruz has hit a blistering .374 during the last seven matches, and is leading Texas-Pan American with a .315 hitting percentage mark during the last 12 contests. Cruz has also been a leader defensively, leading UTPA with 138 digs in the last 12 matches. Muszynski has led the Lady Broncs in kills during the last seven matches with .233, and is second in both digs and service aces during that period with 61 and 16, respectively. The emergence of freshmen Stephanie Redd (Seguin, TX/Seguin HS) and Danielle Holthe (Covina, CA/Bishop Amat Memorial HS) has helped improve UTPA both defensively and in serving. Redd leads the team with 30 blocks, while Holthe is second with 27. Redd also leads the team with 25 service aces, while Holthe has 16. "Winker has had a great stretch for us," said Thorn. "The freshmen have come together, and Jaclyn has always been good for us." Southwest Texas State brings a record of 7-15 into Tuesday's contest, but will be looking to snap a three-match losing streak. The Bobcats have posted wins this season over Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State, Mississippi State and McNeese State. SWTSU has won all eight previous matches against the Lady Broncs. SWT leads the Southland Conference with 2.35 blocks per game, while Kacee Rogers is hitting .293, good for sixth in the Southland. Tiffany Weidner is sixth in the conference with 3.79 kills per game. "Southwest Texas State is a well-coached team," said Thorn. "They are usually near the top of their conference. They beat us last time, but it's good to get a chance to play them on our home court." VB-30-02 102802
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