UTSA volleyball lost its sixth straight game, falling to Temple in five sets (25-23, 18-25, 28-30, 26-24-15-6) on Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center. Senior Cansu Günaydin and sophomore Caroline Krueger led the Roadrunners with 11 kills in Sunday’s loss.
Libero Aliah Giroux was able to add to her record high of 1,000 digs through her assists during this match as well.
“That’s a pretty big deal,” head coach Carol Price-Torok said. “She obviously is a cornerstone of our defense back there and takes lots of balls.”
While the match against the Bulls was a blowout, the match against Temple was a fight until the end for both teams. The ‘Runners traded points back and forth with the Owls during the entirety of the match.
The Owls took the first set 25-23 and led the second set until a kill by Mia Soerensen paved the way for the ‘Runners to gain a lead which helped the ‘Runners advance to take the second set 25-18.
During the third set, the Owls pulled ahead by a seven-point lead but the ‘Runners were able to come back and surpass the Owls to win the third set at 30-28.
Challenges were made by Price-Torok in the fourth set in an effort to not give away free points.
“I think part of it is trusting the players and what’s going on and what I feel like the camera can pick things up,” Price-Torok said. “Also making sure that we’re using it strategically so that we can get focused and get back in it.”
After a fueled final attempt to secure a win, the Owls took the fourth and fifth set to win the match. “My frustration lies in some adjustments not being executed,” Price-Torok said. “We’re having the pieces you’re seeing right there, we’re in those long rallies and in those tight sets. We have got to find a way in those tight sets and rallies to execute and turn that tide towards us.”
The Bulls swiftly swept the ‘Runners in a short match to earn their fifth conference win of the season. South Florida took an early 8-1 lead against the ‘Runners in the first set that set the tone for the remainder of the match.
The ‘Runners struggled to fight off the Bulls’ heavy set swings as the Bulls more than doubled the amount of kills they received. The ‘Runners lost all three sets (25-16, 25-23, 25-16).
UTSA will look to end its losing streak against North Texas, as the two teams will play at 6 p.m. Thursday, at the North Texas Volleyball Center.
