UTSA volleyball (3-7, 1-3 Conference USA) went up to El Paso to take on the UTEP Miners (5-3, 3-1 C-USA) for back-to-back matches on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 22 to 23. Unfortunately for the ‘Runners, UTEP was able to take both matches 1-3 and 0-3.

Coming into the first set of Monday’s match, UTSA came back from being down 18-22 after the defense was able to get some crucial blocks helping to change the momentum. With UTSA being able to tie up the score at 23 all, UTEP was first to hit match point. Once again, UTSA’s defense was able to get a block off, enabling UTSA to close the set out 26-24. After UTEP was unable to close out the first set, they wanted to make sure that UTSA was out of the game early. The game was back and forth up until the score was 4-4. After that, UTEP put the game away with a 9-0 scoring run, only to be followed by a 6-0 scoring run. With UTEP closing set two in a decisive fashion, 10-25 UTEP, UTSA was unable to find themselves in the drivers seat for the next game as well. While the third set was close in score, the momentum was all UTEP favored. After a 4-0 run late in the set, UTEP took the set 20-25. With the match score 1-2, UTSA needed to make a comeback to force a fifth set. During the fourth set UTSA and UTEP were neck and neck until UTSA broke away with a 4-0 scoring run, making the score 20-16. With UTSA in the prime position to force a fifth set, they were unable to hang on. UTEP managed to find back-to-back 3-0 scoring runs, which was all they needed to close out the match 23-25, 1-3 UTEP.

Unfortunately for the ‘Runners, the next match would end up as a handy 0-3 victory for UTEP. These games were not the best showing from the ‘Runners with the matches ending 17-25;22-25 and 23-25. While the score looked close in the last two games, UTSA was playing catch-up for the whole game.

While UTSA ended the week 0-2, there were some notable performances from the players. Hunter Coppola had 16 kills and two blocks, leading the ‘Runners in scoring. Courtney Walters led the team in assists with 31 assists and tacked on nine digs and three kills. Mia Ybarra led the team in digs with 16 while also getting four assists and a kill.

Even with UTSA losing both matches against UTEP, there were still some very impressive performances from our players. The next match UTSA will be playing is against Rice University, which will take place on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 at 1 p.m.