A record-breaking season for UTRGV volleyball

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s 2025 volleyball season was filled with record-setting moments and unforgettable performances on the court.

The Vaqueros’ 22-8 regular season and 15-1 Southland Conference record secured a tie of the regular season title, topped with three individuals earning all-conference awards.

Looking back at this season, Head Coach Todd Lowery said, “Nine new faces in the program and just how quickly they came together and how quickly they cared for each other was really fun to be a part of. Of course, all the success on top of that, I think it was really the environment they had and that we had this past season was what was special about this group.”

October 2 marked the turning point of the season. Following a loss to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, UTRGV went on to win a program-record 16 straight matches. To put the team’s dominance into perspective, only two times UTRGV was pushed to five sets.

“We had the mindset that we were going toward the same direction, and that just made everything easier,” Junior setter Isabella Costantini said. “I feel like after our preseason tournaments, we kind of made that click, that instant switch, of building that chemistry and connection and that made us play the way we did this past season.”

Freshman outside hitter Dimitra Nanou added, “We realized that did not want to be in last place in the conference. We can give some more. We have super talented players on our team, and I was so excited to work more and more every day.”

In the midst of the win-streak, Lowery also reached a milestone: win number 600.

On Nov. 6, UTRGV defeated the University of Incarnate Word, three sets to one, at UTRGV Fieldhouse to clinch to historic win in Lowery’s career.

“Anytime you get to reach a milestone, it’s awesome,” Lowery said. “To reach it with a special group kind of made it more special for me just because even that night, they got the win and everything, but the girls on the team made that night about me, and it should never be about me.”

While Lowery did not want the spotlight on him following the win, his team made sure to give him his flowers.

Sophomore outside hitter Martina Franco said, “Coach literally changed my life when he recruited me to come here, so I’m so happy that he accomplished that with me and the team, you know, just be a part of one of his memories, this important season and his big accomplishment.”

Lowery was also named the Katrinka Jo Crawford SLC Coach of the Year in 2025.

As for outstanding performances, Costantini, Franco and Nanou all shined on the floor, earning Southland Conference awards.

Costantini was named Southland Conference Setter of the Year for the second consecutive time.

She said, “I feel like after my sophomore season where I was recognized as the setter of the year, it was good to get that back, you know, that feeling of all my hard work paid off.”

Franco was named Newcomer of the year.

Franco said, “I was not expecting that at all, but I think when I watch it, I was happy to have something to remember because it was a good season for me and I had a lot of fun and I loved it, so I don’t know. It was a blast to enjoy the season that I have.”

As for Nanou, she was named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year.

“I’m more excited about what we got out of the tournament instead of my award,” Nanou said. “I’m really grateful that I can help my team and receive that award because it’s like a gift from God.”

Despite the historic season for the volleyball program, the team’s final loss to the Ladyjacks in the Southland Conference Tournament Championship Game left a bad taste in the program’s mouth.

The loss fueled them to exceed their performance on the court this season heading into 2026.

Lowery said, “That loss in the conference championship game will drive this team forward. I think just the sentiment. At first, they were sad and then by a week or two later and at this point, they’re angry.”

“The last game we played with the final of the tournament motivates us to push more,” Nanou said. “We can give more. We saw that we can give more, and personally I think everyone is going to put more work in this year.”