In a nail-biting finish that had fans on the edge of their seats, No. 1 UT Arlington's volleyball squad did the improbable, rallying from the brink to seize the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament championship after a cliffhanger of a match against No. 2 Grand Canyon. The lady Mavericks fought tooth and nail to reverse a 2-1 set deficit and dodge multiple match points in the final set, leaving the scorecards reading 20-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-23, 16-14.

Despite staring down a 14-11 deficit in the ultimate set, UT Arlington showed their steel, conjuring a comeback that sealed their first championship run since 2002 and granted them an automatic ticket to the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. Having navigated an undefeated conference season, their resilience was put to the test for a second consecutive game.

J.T. Wenger, the UT Arlington head volleyball coach, could hardly contain his pride, saying, "A remarkable win," noting the team's consistently gritty performances when pushed into a corner and giving a shout-out to the fans' energetic support throughout the tumultuous match. "This team once again had their backs against the wall and they were able to pull it through. So proud of everyone, our fans were electric tonight, and they stayed with us even when we were down. Proud of this team," he said, per the City of Arlington's news release.

The tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Brianna Ford, shone brightly, stacking 25 kills, 16 digs, five blocks, and two aces. WAC Co-Freshman of the Year Sjakkie Donkers impressed with a pivotal 12 kills and 26 digs double-double and were joined by Mollie Blank, WAC Setter of the Year, whose contribution was pivotal, dishing out 56 assists while also securing a double-double with 13 digs. Teammates Paige Reagor and Evyn Snook also played vital roles, hammering down 13 and 10 kills, cementing their place on the all-tournament team, and demonstrating the depth of the Maverick roster.

Anticipation is building as the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship selection show nears. It will be broadcast on ESPN at 5 p.m. on Sunday.