Volleyball team smashes DFW rival in home opener
Ehsan Azad / Staff Writer
After starting the year 1-2 at the Loyola Marymount Invitational, the Mean Green volleyball team opened up its home stand with a victory over University of Texas at Arlington.
The Mean Green (2-2) lost the first set early but recovered to take three straight sets and the match (21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-20) over the Mavericks (3-1). It was UNT’s third straight win over its metroplex rival. Sophomore outside hitter Carnae Dillard, reigning Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, finished as the team’s offensive highlight with 17 kills.
“The first game I had a lot of errors and I had to bounce back,” Dillard said. “So I tried to keep the ball in place so our defense can get a chance to get the ball back.”
Coach Andrew Palileo was impressed with high energy coming in on the defensive side of the ball.
“As the home opener of the year, you always have those jitters and I thought the girls did a good job coming out with energy,” Palileo said. “We had too many errors in that first set but I was glad we came back and settled down and worked on what we did in practice.”
Sophomore setter Amy Henard sets up the ball for senior middle blocker Karissa Flack. - Photo by Aidan Barrett / Senior Staff Photographer
The game started as a back-and-forth contest, but late into the second and third sets, the defense set in and the Mean Green pulled away.
“A lot of what we do is play team defense, and as long as I am in my spot the job gets done,” senior libero Shelby Tamura said.
Tamura helped with a game high 18 digs in the matchup. Senior outside hitter Courtney Windham added eight kills and three blocks.
The Mean Green is now looking forward to hosting its North Texas Invitational tournament hosted here at UNT. Dillard said the team is excited to
Junior outside hitter Hanna Frost dumps the ball into the opponent's court. - Photo by Aidan Barrett / Senior Staff Photographer
play at home and face the new teams.
“The crowd is going to be great and we are going to play like we know how,” Dillard said.
The Mean Green is back in action on September 6th at noon vs. Prairie View A&M University at the Mean Green Volleyball Complex.
Feature photo by Aidan Barrett / Senior Staff Photographer
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