The volleyball team lost to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Friday at the Activity Center, ending its hopes to qualify for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Head coach Ernest Vasquez said they did exactly what a team needs to do in order to win, but unfortunately, he said “This was also an example when the opponent plays its best as well.”

The team had the lead a couple of times throughout the match. In the second set, it was a point from winning the set several times.

Vasquez said, “I wish we played like this a month ago.”

Marcela Araya, the team’s left back, said they didn’t show their best, and they still have to work on some stuff.

”We didn’t do our system. They were psychologically stronger, and perhaps they were luckier than we were,” Araya said.

The team’s outside hitter Blanca Ocana led the team with13 kills.Ocana said, “I don’t look [at] statistics and don’t care about the points. I just play for the team.”Considering the opponents, Ocana said our team tried harder to win this game, but the UALR had better plans.

“They’ve been studying us and knew exactly how to attack us. However, there is a new season, and we are also going to get new players to join our team where we are all sisters who respect and love each other,” she said.

The team is not going to travel to Florida for the Sun Belt Conference this year but is confident the team will be ready for next season.

Vasquez said, “I am really glad to see girls playing like this when each of them contributed to their side.”