<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ZyJlJ_0vk46dRv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ZyJlJ_0vk46dRv00" width="1789" height="1158" ><figcaption>Outside hitter Brianna Ford, left, and Alexis Bull, middle blocker and right-side hitter, attempt to block the ball during a game against Santa Clara University on Sept. 5 at College Park Center. File photo / Ronaldo Bolaños</figcaption></figure>J.T. Wenger, UTA volleyball head coach said the team enters every match with the same mentality — to win.Wenger said the athletes have an expectation of how they’re going to prepare and figure out what it takes to be successful. After a 9-0 season start, marking the best start in program history, the volleyball team will turn its attention toward conference play following a 10-2 record in non-conference matchups.The Mavericks will travel for two road games, with the first game 8 p.m. Thursday against Grand Canyon University, to kick off their 51st season.The strategy remains the same heading into conference play, but Wenger said that now the focus will shift. Competing against non-conference teams is valuable for the players to learn about their own team and identify its strengths and weaknesses. “Once conference season rolls around, it's clean slate,” Wenger said. “Everybody's zero and zero going into the conference in the league play.” Approaching her final season, graduate outside hitter Brianna Ford said she’s taken on a bigger leadership role as a veteran on the court. Ford is excited to return for another season and contribute to the program's growth. Ford said she is looking forward to the Western Athletic Conference tournament coming to College Park Center on Nov. 21 through 23 and hopes for a strong fan turnout for both the tournament and regular season games. The team is currently No. 1 in the WAC. For now, the next game is always the most important match of the year, she said.Wenger said having a group of veterans, including five graduate students, contributes to team growth in multiple ways, from perspective to reading the game. Several players have played the game at a high level, which he said helps set the team in the right direction. “This is a very athletic group capable of just amazing feats on the floor,” Wenger said.Ford said the team believes in its ability to win and has proven so with a 9-0 start, helping boost the team’s confidence. “One of our big messages this year is believing not just in ourselves, but in each other, and it's just something I'm excited for,” Ford said. “It feels like it's just a different mentality this year than it was in the past. For Wenger, focusing on about eight weeks of conference play is important right now, with the WAC tournament feeling like the distant future. Over the next two months, he said many teams will evolve as they continue to grow.“It's been a fun group to work with in the gym,” Wenger said. “There haven't been many wasted days or even wasted moments. Very motivated group and at the same time they like to have fun. I think we've done a really fantastic job of balancing competitive drive with a lightheartedness of appreciating the game and appreciating the opportunities.” Fans can find a full-season schedule here.@heyyyitslando</div></body>

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UTA volleyball looks to conference games after successful non-conference matchups

J.T. Wenger, UTA volleyball head coach said the team enters every match with the same mentality — to win. Wenger said the athletes have an expectation of how they’re going to prepare and figure out what it takes to be successful. After a 9-0 season start, marking the...