UTSA volleyball has four more American Athletic Conference games left in its season. Coming off losses to Tulane University on Friday and Rice University on Sunday, the Roadrunners are looking to bounce back this weekend againstThe University of Memphis on Friday and Florida Atlantic University on Sunday.
History
UTSA last played the Tigers on Oct. 27, 2023. The ‘Runners won the game 3-1, although UTSA and Memphis have yet to face off this season. UTSA has played the Owls 11 times before;They last played Oct. 29, 2023, the Roadrunners swept the match 3-0. The first and second set were close, but the ‘Runners came through on the third while FAU could not get past 15 points.
UTSA
UTSA volleyball has been on top of their game recently. The Roadrunners (8-17, 2-10 AAC) pulled off a win against one of the top teams in the conference against the University of South Florida. However, the ‘Runners are currently No.12 in standings in the AAC, and will not make it to the conference tournament. While the Roadrunners lost both games last week, they gave Rice University a tough time. Junior opposite hitter Mia Soerensen led the team with 10 kills, junior outside hitter Caroline Krueger and sophomore middle blocker Kai Bailey racked up six kills. UTSA had less attack errors with 14, as opposed to Rice’s 20 and they tied Rice with five service errors.
UTSA’s hitting percentage is at .193, which has dropped over the last two games, making them No.11 in the AAC; they are still first in the AAC for blocks with an average of 2.25. UTSA has racked up 456 attack errors and 171 service errors. The Roadrunners will be playing both games at home this week, and they have a better average at home 6-7; They are winless on the road this season.. UTSA can beat Memphis and Florida Atlantic if they play at the same level as they did against Rice.
“Tough battles, we are at the end,” coach Carol Price-Torok said about the last games of the season. “People are talking about conference tournaments, trying to get into the conference tournament, so for us, it’s putting our best foot forward. Being prepared and being ready to play, defending our home court, we play better at home.”
“Two great chances for great volleyball in the gym,” Price-Torok said of the final home games.
Memphis
No. 8 Memphis (11-13, 5-7 AAC) has struggled with finishing sets out, just like UTSA. Both teams take quick leads at the beginning of sets but lose the momentum at the 20-point mark. Memphis is No.11 in hitting percentage in the AAC with .198. The Tigers are No.12 for blocks with an average of 1.55 in the AAC. Key players for Memphis include outside hitter Hannah Jones, who is eighth in kills with an average of 3.29 and ninth overall in points with 85 kills. Libero Abigail Schlueter is fourth in the conference in digs with an average of 4.15. Setter Jordan Heatherly is third in assists and second in service aces, with an average of 9.53 and .44, respectively.
Florida Atlantic
FAU (14-10, 6-6 AAC) is sixth in standings for the AAC. The Owls are good at taking advantage of their opponents’ errors as they use them to go on long runs. In their game against Temple University, FAU won it in three sets and took the first set with a 14 point lead. Florida Atlantic has a subpar 1-7 record in away games. FAU has a hitting percentage of .218 placing them sixth in the AAC, along with being eighth in blocks with an average of 2.13. Key players for the Tigers are outside hitter Katelynn Robine, who is ninth in kills in the AAC with an average of 3.13 and is No.10 overall with 89 points. Middle blocker Kaila Ru is second in blocks with an average of 1.27. Setter Victoria Hensley is second in assists with an average of 10.67.
Predictions
Both the games this weekend will be tough matches, because both teams are fighting for a chance to make it to the conference tournament.
Paisano Pick: UTSA 3-2 Memphis, FAU 3-1 UTSA
