Officially in Last

Two more matches resulted in two more losses for the UT Arlington volleyball squad this past weekend as the losing streak was extended to four in a row, all matches within the Western Athletic Conference. UTA needs one match to reach the halfway point of WAC play and UTA is tied for sixth, which is essentially last place at this point.

The Mavericks started the week against the preseason favorites. The Utah Valley road match, or maybe neutral match as their gym was unavailable, was going to be a tough test. BYU lent their gym and while UTA made spurts, it was clear the Wolverines were the better team. Watching the match, it was clear that UVU controlled the net. They were able to effect UTA's offensive game and rack up points on the defensive side of the net. The Wolverines logged 15 blocks. UTA recorded one.

As the set scores were 16-25, 24-26, 21-25, those 15 blocks were huge. Now, UVU is one of the best blockers in the country from a pure numbers standpoint. The digs disparity I mentioned last week was still present. UVU notched 52 to the Mavericks 47. This was a great example about how important a piece Paige Reagor was to the Mavericks the last couple of years.

The plus side, I was expecting a more lopsided match outcome. That second set was close, but the deficit was too close. The Wolverines were up 22-17 and it looked like a second set would go against UTA in another large margin. The Mavs went on a 7-2 run to tie it at 24. While that looks nice on the surface, UVU didn't play their best with a service error, three attack errors and a bad set were five of the points. UTA was applying pressure, making UVU hit it where they didn't want to, but I would have liked to see UTA score more on their end. 

The second match of the week was a bit more promising. Both teams, UTA and California Baptist, had one conference win entering the day. The winner is in the middle of the pack with a fighter's chance. The loser would be tied for last with a long way to claim a title.

We saw a lot of the same inconsistent play that has marred the team all year. UTA needed extras in the first set to win, 26-24. They lost the second set by seven. They also lost the third by the same score as the first. In the fourth, they won the set by the same score as the second. In the fifth, CBU ran away with the match, 15-9.

The Lancers out-blocked the Mavs, but nowhere near the 15-1 disparity of the previous match. 9-13 is manageable and doesn't show the net domination their opponent had previously, but is still an issue. UTA had one more dig overall, 51-50, showing a better defensive effort there. 

While UTA started out the season with four set five wins in a row, they have lost five set fives in a row. It really seems all or nothing with this team. Young teams or teams that are still developing their chemistry do show that inconsistency. It may be the only steady thing.

This five game conference losing streak has really plummeted in the RPI rankings. After last year's top-75 finish, UTA was in the 100's after non-conference play. Now, they sit at 264.

Utah Tech is at 90, the lone WAC school in double digits. Utah Valley is the only other one in the top 200. Tarleton State is 244. Abilene Christian is right behind UTA at 267 while CBU is in striking distance at 272. Southern Utah is trailing at 316.

Had UTA beat two or three of the teams in WAC play, they would be flirting with the one hundreds. But, instead, they are fighting to keep the season alive.

UTA has one match this week, hosting the current leaders in Arlington. Utah Tech has sailed through the WAC undefeated and will be a stiff match. It is also alumni day as former UTA volleyballers will be in attendance as first serve is set for 1 pm.