The UTSA Roadrunner volleyball team (15-12, 8-6 C-USA) lost their final two regular season matches with a home game against Rice University (24-2) and then lost a close game to the University of North Texas Mean Green (16-10).
During the Nov. 14, game against Rice, the Owls were able to sweep the ‘Runners in three sets to spoil the home finale for the ‘Runners. The Owls hit .367 on the night and were able to obtain 10 point leads in each of the three sets and only trailed once during the whole match.
For the ‘Runners, Brianna McCulloch led the team with nine kills and was able to bring her career total to 934 kills during her time at UTSA. Hannah Lopez followed close behind with eight kills. Courtney Walters led the way with 18 assists as well as three kills.
On Nov. 16, the ‘Runners traveled to Denton, Texas to take part in their final regular game of the season in which they lost a close game that would end up going all the way to the fifth set.
The first two sets were dominated by the Mean Green as they looked to sweep the ‘Runners in three sets. The ‘Runners went on a run and claimed the next two sets to tie things up at two apiece, but the Mean Green would go on to close out the game by winning the fifth and final set, 15-8.
During the game against UNT, McCulloch had 17 kills in the season finale and tallied two blocks as well. Lopez would add 13 kills, two aces and one block in the match as well to anchor down the ‘Runners’ offensive attack.
Emily Ramirez had quite the season finale by putting up career-high five service aces to pair with six assists and 15 digs. Lopez also stuffed the stat sheet plenty by having her eighth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 13 digs.
The ‘Runners closed out the season with a winning record of 7-4 at home this season. While going 8-8 in away, neutral site games.
UTSA would finish the season with the sixth best record (8-6) in Conference USA (C-USA) which makes the ‘Runners eligible for the single-elimination championship tournament in Houston, Texas.
The ‘Runners will take part in their first match on Nov. 22, against the Mean Green in what will be their second meeting of the season. If the ‘Runners are to advance they will play the winner of Rice vs the University of Texas at El Paso in the second round of the tournament. All games from the C-USA tournament can be streamed on ESPN+ Nov. 22-Nov. 24.
