The Donna News

Editor’s note: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is taking a look back at some of the best moments from the 2019-20 season every #ThrowbackThursday (#TBT) through early August. 

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) volleyball team entered the 2019 season having played three Big 10 opponents in program history, getting swept by each one.
 
After winning three of their first four matches, the Vaqueros had reason for optimism entering a matchup against Maryland at the UTSA Classic, but after watching the Terrapins hit .519 without an attack error to win the first set 25-17, you could have been excused for thinking it would be more of the same on the first Friday of September. 
 
Senior Barbara Silva had other plans, though. Silva exploded for a match-high 19 kills on .341 hitting, including the match-winner, to send the Vaqueros to a 3-2 victory. Sophomore Sarah Cruz recorded a double-double with 16 kills, 11 digs and three aces. Junior Samaret Caraballo added a match-high 24 digs and five assists. 
 
UTRGV has now taken down Power 5 opponents in back-to-back years after knocking off No. 15 Baylor 3-2 in Waco in 2018.
 
This was part of a season of firsts against Power 5 competition, as UTRGV took sets off of SEC (Texas A&M) and Pac-12 (Washington State) opponents for the first time in program history.

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