University of Louisville
<B>UT ARLINGTON<BR>(LABOR DAY INV.)</B>
Volleyball Rallies to Beat UTA 3-2
August 31, 2002 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2002
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Down two games with their opponent, Texas-Arlington at 29-24 match point, the University of Louisville seniors rallied their teammates and not only won the game but came back to win the match.
Led by senior Sonja Percan's 26 kills, senior Sarah Drury's 66 digs and senior Stacey Mercer's five blocks, the Cardinals beat UTA 23-30, 28-30, 31-29, 30-26, 15-11. The Cardinals are 2-0 to start the season, while UTA drops to 0-2.
"We have a young setter who is working her heart out, but our offense hasn't quite jelled," said Percan. "The seniors who were out on the court had to be leaders and get the show rolling. Then Bing Sun's hitting came around and I knew we'd be ok."
Sun had 15 kills and 14 digs from the right side for the Cardinals. Junior Benny Flynn had 14 kills and her five blocks helped U of L gain a 11-5 blocking edge over UTA.
The Mavericks used strong starts, building early leads in each game and keeping Louisville back on its heels. UTA hit .325 and .208 in the first two games and was showing no signs of letting up the pressure in the third.
"They jumped on us quickly and we had trouble getting into a rhythm," said Percan.
It was Louisville freshman Jennifer Craven who had the serve in game three down 29-21. The Assumption graduate served the game out and the effort rejuvenated the flagging team enthusiasm.
"I didn't see our younger players panic or give up," said Leonid Yelin, U of L head coach. "There may have been lack of execution but not lack of effort."
The fourth game saw the Cardinals hit only .145 to UTA's .204 but it was enough to even the match at two games apiece. The Mavericks allowed the Cardinal hitting to heat up in the final game, when the Cardinals had 11 kills on 22 attacks and just two errors for a .409 hitting percentage.
UTA was led by Olaya Pazo's 19 kills and two aces. Maverick setter Caley Smith had nine kills and 56 assists.
