EDINBURG, Texas – In the last match of the season for Tarleton volleyball, they battled the first place UTRGV Vaqueros to five sets on their home court at the UTRGV Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell in the decisive fifth set (25-20, 11-25, 17-25, 25-17, 8-15).
 
The Texans (12-17, 4-10 WAC) saw 14 kills each from sophomore Megan Haynes and freshman Breanna McDonough to lead the way offensively. Freshman Megan Hodges added her sixth double-double of the season with 35 assists and 17 digs. Sarah Cruz paced the Vaqueros (24-5, 13-1 WAC) with a match-high 16 kills.
 
Tarleton jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the first set as McDonough and Haynes each landed two kills early on. They kept the pace up throughout the set, leading the Vaqueros by eight at 14-6 following a kill from senior Brianna Rhodes and later nine with a 17-8 lead after junior Grayson Schirpik added a kill. Schirpik finished with 13 kills, four digs and three blocks. Tarleton allowed the Vaqueros to cut the lead to two at 21-19 but ultimately pulled it out to secure the set one win 25-20. The Texans held UTRGV to just .06 hitting in the set, their lowest of the match.
 
Sets two and three saw UTRGV respond convincingly, winning by scores of 25-11 and 25-17. Trailing most of the third set, Tarleton drew within five at 21-16 following a kill from Haynes to make it 21-17 but they only mustered one more point the rest of the way as the Vaqueros took the 2-1 match lead.
 
A 4-0 run while holding the 18-15 lead helped propel the Texans to the set four win. They saw kills from Rhodes and Schirpik as well as two UTRGV errors to extend the lead to 22-15. A service ace from Hodges ultimately sent the match to a fifth set as Tarleton showed poise, trading blows with the league leaders.
 
In the fifth set, UTRGV got out to a 6-2 lead that they later pushed to 12-5 which was too much for the Texans to overcome. Schirpik added three kills in the in the set while Haynes had two, but the Vaqueros left victorious 15-8.
 
Tarleton's season is now complete. Seniors Ana Costas, Emma Halcomb, Brianna Rhodes, Jaylibeth Garcia-Rosa and Haley Flanagan donned the purple and white for the last time and their efforts are appreciated. The next news surrounding Texan volleyball that can be expected is All-WAC awards and potential team additions.