The UTSA volleyball team (7-10, 2-3 C-USA) went on a two-game road trip this past week. The first game was in Murfreesboro, Tennessee against Middle Tennessee State University, where the ‘Runners won 3-1, and the second was against No. 25 Western Kentucky University, where UTSA lost 3-0. 

The Roadrunners won two sets against the Blue Raiders (12-6, 1-3 C-USA) by two total points, while the other two were not close. The first set started with back-and-forth points, with UTSA ultimately gaining a 17-11 lead. Middle Tennessee closed the lead to trail 21-20; however, the ‘Runners pulled away winning 25-23. The Blue Raiders dominated the second set as they took a 4-3 lead and did not look back. Middle Tennessee won the set 25-14 and tied the series 1-1. UTSA went on to win the next two sets. In the third set, it was the ‘Runners’ turn to dominate, as they led wire to wire. The Roadrunners went on a 10-0 run to help win 25-12. Middle Tennessee took an 18-13 lead in the fourth set, attempting to push the game to a fifth set. UTSA overcame the deficit and won the set 25-23 and the match 3-1. 

Amanda Ifeanyi and Hunter Coppola each had 11 kills, while Ifeanyi had five in the fourth set. Alicia Coppedge contributed with six blocks, and Courtney Walters had 37 assists. This was UTSA’s second Conference USA victory of the season. Then, they hit the road to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to play the Hilltoppers. 

UTSA played Western Kentucky (17-2, 5-0 C-USA) on Sunday, Oct. 9, and got swept 3-0 by the No. 25 team in the nation. The ‘Runners were unable to score more than 19 points in any of the three sets. UTSA came out in the first set holding its own, even taking an 11-9 lead. However, the Hilltoppers flipped a switch and made a run of their own, winning 25-18. The ‘Runners battled Western Kentucky in the second set; however, the team could not match the Hilltoppers’ offensive force, losing 25-17. Western Kentucky opened the third set hard, getting a 16-8 lead. UTSA fought back; however, they dug themselves too deep of a hole and lost the set 25-19 and the match 3-0.

Ifeanyi had nine kills for the ‘Runners, while Coppedge had seven. Cansu Günaydin had two aces and Ava Camacho had 15 digs. Western Kentucky was the second nationally ranked opponent UTSA has played this season and was swept both times.

UTSA will now play its next two matches at home. The next match will be against Charlotte at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14.