UTSA volleyball lost to University of North Texas 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at North Texas Volleyball Center.
The Roadrunners (6-13, 0-6 AAC) lost to the Mean Green (7-10, 4-2 AAC) on Sept. 27 for their conference opener. In both games, UTSA won the first set but succumbed to several errors, along with North Texas’ aggressive offense that won them three sets in a row.
The first set had numerous long rallies between the ‘Runners and the Mean Green. UTSA held onto the lead by at least one point the whole set, eventually extending that lead to six points.
The Roadrunners picked up many free points that helped keep momentum high for them in the first set.
Senior middle blocker Alicia Coppedge served for the first time; North Texas libero Paige Mooney received the serve and sent the ball back to the net. Sophomore middle blocker Kai Bailey took advantage of the opportunity to jump up to the net and hit the ball down effectively getting the kill for UTSA. The ‘Runners won the set 25-23.
The Roadrunners struggled to communicate with each other for the rest of the game. The Mean Green did a better job at setting up their plays and sharing the ball with all players. Junior outside hitter Mia Soerensen had 11 kills, Bailey had nine, freshmen outside hitter Ally Tribe and junior outside hitter Caroline Krueger tied with four kills. Sophomore libero Peyton Turner had 21 digs, followed by setter Morgen Durgens who had 12.
The ‘Runners had difficulty stopping North Texas’s momentum, allowing them to go on multiple 8-0 runs. The Roadrunners have not won a conference match this season, making them last in the American Athletic Conference.
UTSA will play the University of Alabama at Birmingham at 4 p.m. Friday at Convocation Center.
