Milasauskas, Bracero Break Records in Big Day for Scorpions

Posted October 26, 2007
SAN ANTONIO -- Talita Milasauskas and Daianarah Bracero broke UTB/TSC school records to lead the Scorpions to a thrilling five-set victory over NCAA Division III powerhouse Trinity University, and won an earlier match over Chapman University, at  the Trinity University National Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday, October 26-27.

Milasauskas had 31 kills in the five games, breaking the old school record of 27 held by Ana Mercado against Hill College in 2004. Bracero had 67 assists, breaking the old record of 64 held by Cathryn Hayslip in 2002.

The Scorpions are one of five teams in the tournament, and are the only one who is not a member of the NCAA Division III.  UTB/TSC, 25-6, is the 20th-ranked team in the NAIA.

Trinity came into the match with a 29-1 record,  26 straight victories, and a No. 3 ranking in the NCAA Division III, but came away losing to the Scorpions in their own tournament for the second straight year.

On Saturday, the Scorpions play Rockford College (Ill.) (12-14) at 11 a.m., then meet Wartburg College (Iowa) (14-16) at 1:15 p.m.

Because both Rockford and Wartburg lost to opponents the Scorpions defeated Friday, UTB/TSC will be favored in both of its matches Saturday and repeat as tournament champions.

After the Trinity tournament, the Scorpions have one match remaining on the regular season, at The University of Texas-Pan American at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 1, in Edinburg.

UTB/TSC has already wrapped up the Red River Athletic Conference South Zone championship. The Scorpions will be the top seed when they enter the RRAC Tournament in Fort Worth November 9-10.

UTB/TSC 3, Trinity University 2 (24-30, 30-22, 30-21, 24-30, 15-11)

Milasauskas had a monster game for the Scorpions, who burst Trinity's bubble and ending the Tigers' long winning streak.

"They're tall, we had to battle for every point," Scorpion head coach Marcus Young said. "It seemed like the team that got the lead at the beginning of the set would hold the other one off. We were blocking well, and that's what won it for us."

Milasauskas added 22 digs, four blocks and four aces for the Scorpions, while Claudia Alarcon had a solid game as well, with 21 kills and 14 digs. Bracero's previous season high for assists was 59.

Jenny Ashley added 11 kills and five blocks, Katie Japp had 7 kills and 11 digs.

UTB/TSC 3, Chapman University (Calif.) 0 (30-17, 30-17, 30-23)

The Scorpions started the tournament with a relatively easy victory over Chapman University (14-9) in three games.

MIlasauskas had a double-double for the Scorpions with 10 kills and 10 blocks, while Alarcon had eight kills and 11 digs. Ashley added eight kills and Japp seven and five blocks.

Bracero had 35 assists and three blocks.