Coming off a 3-0 victory over Marist College, UTSA would head into their I-35 showdown with the Texas State Bobcats looking to build momentum. However, despite strong starts in the first three sets, the Roadrunners (1-3, 0-0 AAC) fell to the Bobcats in four hard-fought sets: 24-26, 25-19, 23-25, and 16-25.
In the opening set, UTSA came out firing, led by junior opposite hitter Mia Soerensen, who tallied five kills early on. Sophomore middle blocker Kai Bailey also added two crucial points off blocks, capitalizing on Texas State’s missed kills and size disadvantage. The Roadrunners maintained a solid defensive front, a higher hitting percentage, and built what appeared to be an insurmountable 24-16 lead, just one point away from securing the set. However, Texas State mounted a shocking comeback, fueled by kills from sophomore outside hitter Samantha Wunsch. The Bobcats closed the set on a 10-0 run, stealing the first set 26-24.
“This one is going to haunt me for a bit,” head coach Carol Price-Torok said. “We gave too many points away. I think if we would have been a little bit cleaner at certain points, the sets may have had a different outcome.”
The second set saw a resilient UTSA squad regain their composure. The Roadrunners jumped out to an early 8-1 lead, with junior outside hitter Caroline Krueger contributing four kills. Although Texas State managed a 4-0 run late in the set to close the gap, UTSA held firm. A service error by the Bobcats ultimately sealed the set for the Roadrunners, giving them a 25-19 win to tie the match 1-1.
The third set was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to pull away. UTSA managed to edge ahead 21-19 after key kills by Soerensen and freshman outside hitter Martina Franco, and a service ace from Franco seemed to shift the momentum back to the Roadrunners. However, Texas State once again surged late, scoring four straight points to take a 23-21 lead. UTSA fought back to tie the score at 23-23, but Texas State would eventually claim the set 25-23. Soerensen and Franco continued to pace the Roadrunners, but freshman outside hitter MJ McCurdy and senior libero Alyssa Ortega continued to anchor Texas State’s defensive efforts, frustrating the UTSA attack as the set slipped away.
In the fourth and final set, Texas State took full control. The Bobcats built a 19-9 lead, led by Ortega, Wunsch, McCurdy, and freshman outside hitter Caelyn Emmerling. Soerensen finished with a match-high 16 kills and 5 blocks, while Franco added 10 kills and 10 digs, and Krueger contributed 8 kills and 6 digs. Despite these efforts however, UTSA would not be able to mount a comeback, falling 25-16 to end the match.
“Some of it is on me,” Price-Torok said. “Maybe a sub here or a sub there just to break up the game a little bit more. We’ve got to trust what we’re doing, trust our shots, but at the end of the day, the execution was not there.”
UTSA will return to the Convocation Center to play the University of Holy Cross at 10 a.m. on Friday.
