September 23, 2010
13
‘Swaggin’ their way to a new beginning
The UTPA volleyball team broke a losing streak last weekend and began conference play 1-1. Now the women say they’ve found the formula for victory and are ready turn the season around. given credit for bringing the term onto the court. The modern term for the word swag is riddled all through hip-hop songs to express one’s The crowd was electric and the “cool” factor. The Broncs remind Broncs fed off the energy. With every themselves of their kill they grew “cool” when faced confidence, with adversity on and one could the court. tell they were “ Tonight we showed what The Broncs determined to (0-1 in Great West keep the lead in this team is capable of doing Conference, 3-12 their hands and overall) have their foot on their when we play how we know played well at opponent’s neck. times during the Just a few how to play.” season but for weeks ago, The some reason could Broncs would not get it together probably have Kaitlin Vasquez at key moments to let an early lead Senior finish games. slip from their This not the case grasp, but those on Monday as they mental slip-ups faced off against are no more the Prairie View A&M University with a new mentality on the court. Panthers at home in the Wellness and “High swag,” senior starter Recreation Sports Complex earning Marci Logan of Centennial, Colo., an impressive three-game sweep, 25explained. “When times get tough 16, 28-26, 25-18. on the court, we all huddle up and “We came in wanting to make tell each other ‘high swag.’ We a statement and get on a winning were ready to get out here and streak,” said Kaitlin Vasquez, senior show everyone that we’re not that outside hitter from Garland. “Usually team from a few weeks ago that lets when a team is beating us like they leads slip at the crucial point of the were tonight in the second game we game.” fold, but tonight we showed what this Ijanae Holman, the 5-foot-9 team is capable of doing when we sophomore from Niceville, Fla., is
By Dionicio “Nune” Rodriguez The Pan American
Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN
GOING HIGHER - Senior Megan Fichtel (left) and sophomore Sarah Davis block an attack Monday against Prairie View. Fichtel returned to her more comfortable position after Davisreturned from an injury. play how we know how to play.” The Broncs came out firing in the first game to take a dominant victory (25-16) but had a rough patch in the second game, going down early. They managed to fight off the Panthers and
tie the game at 24; then the lead then changed a few times. After taking a one-point advantage, Holman an outside hitter, soared through the air giving the team a game-winning kill, 28-26. Aside from their “high swag” meditation tactics that have helped them earn victories the last two games, the return off 6-foot sophomore middle blocker Sarah Davis (Murrieta, Calif.) helped the women feel more comfortable on the court. “It got the girls in better positions, especially Megan who has played terrific the last two games,” fourth year Head Coach Angela Hubbard said. “She is back over on the right side of the court which is where she is most comfortable and that is thanks to Sarah being back in our
line-up.” Megan Fichtel, the 5-foot-10 senior from Corpus Christi, TX, has been all over the court this season filling in where ever the team might require her services. The Broncs hit the road later this week looking to improve their record against two Great West Conference opponents. Thursday they face the New Jersey Institute of Technology at 7 p.m. and Saturday they will compete against Chicago State at 2 p.m. The Broncs are not only going by “high swag” to help them in their journey through a tough conference; they’ve added “we’re done losing” to the list. “The girls got a taste of victory already and they like it,” Hubbard stated. “They’ve realized what us
WEEKEND RESULTS UTPA 3-0 Texas Southern Houston Baptist 3-0 UTPA Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN
REFOCUSED - Head coach Angela Hubbard talks to the Lady Broncs during a timeout Monday evening. The coach said that the women have regained confidence in themselves after Monday’s victory.
UTPA 3-0 Prairie View