Daianarah Bracero dives for ball next while teammate Claudia Alarcon (on floor) tries to save it

Scorpions Fall Short to Broncs, 3-2, in Valley Collegiate Battle
Posted November 1, 2007

EDINBURG -- In an atmosphere never before seen at The University of Texas-Pan American Fieldhouse, the host Broncs outlasted the UTB/TSC Scorpions, 3-2, before 832 fans here Thursday, November 1.

It was the first meeting between the two Valley universities in 57 years. The last time the Broncs and Scorpions met, they played football and basketball in the 1950-51 season. TSC won both matchups that season.

This time on the volleyball court, it was an established NCAA Division I program in UTPA against a UTB/TSC team that was in its second year competing as a four-year school in the NAIA.

UTB/TSC came into the match with a highly regarded 27-6 record, but was meeting only the second NCAA Division I opponent. The Broncs came into the match with a 10-16 record against mostly NCAA Division I opposition.

It was a big night for Talita Milasauskas, who recorded her fifth triple-double of the season with 28 kills, 20 digs and 10 blocks, but she was disappointed in the defeat.

UTPA won the first two games, 30-27 and 34-32, before the Scorpions came back strong in the third game, winning by 30-18, and holding off the Broncs in the fourth game, 30-27.

Game five started out tight. After a 4-4 tie, the Broncs scored five of the next six points to take a 9-5 lead. The Scorpions then scored five of the next six to make it 10-10. It was 11-11 before the Broncs scored three in a row to take a 14-11 lead they would not relinquish.

Claudia Alarcon had another impressive, collecting 17 kills to go with 25 assists. Jenny Ashley added 12 kills, Katie Japp eight kills and 16 digs, Viviana Lozano 13 digs and Daianarah Bracero 61 assists and 10 digs.

At least 200 Scorpion fans made the one-hour trip to Edinburg to witness the historic matchup. They helped to create an environment never before seen in college athletics in the Rio Grande Valley which was typical of other major college rivalries because a visiting team brought numerous fans with them.

There was much good-natured ribbing from fans of both universities. Scorpion fans brought many signs with them.

The match ended the regular-season for the Scorpions, who will be the first seed in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament November 9-10 in Fort Worth. The Scorpions have also qualified for the NAIA Region VI Tournament in Fort Worth November 16-17.