UTSA volleyball has two more games left in its season. Last Sunday the Roadrunners pulled off a win against Florida Atlantic University in just three sets. UTSA will play the University of Tulsa on Friday and Wichita State University on Sunday.
History
UTSA last faced off against the Golden Hurricane on Oct. 20 at the Convocation Center. The ‘Runners lost the game, dropping three sets to Tulsa. The Roadrunners had 30 attack errors compared to the Golden Hurricanes’ 1. UTSA did not break 20 points in any of the sets dring the game. The ‘Runners will need to minimize their attack errors and focus on defense to beat Tulsa.
UTSA has played Wichita State five times in the past, the ‘Runners are 1-5 against the Shockers. The most recent matchup was held Nov. 11 2023, when Wichita State took the match in three sets and led with 49 kills.
Week 13 matchup
UTSA
The Roadrunners are currently No. 12 in the American Athletic Conference. Which means even if they win both games, they will not make it to the conference tournament. The ‘Runners are now playing for themselves, giving them nothing to lose with these next two games. In the last four games the Roadrunner have had better defense , they are now first in blocks for the AAC with an average of 2.27 per set.
“We are going to have to have a really defensive game plan and play really clean,” coach Carol Price-Torok said.
Against Florida Atlantic, one of the key players was junior opposite hitter Mia Soerensen, who earned nine kills and eight blocks. Freshman outside hitter Ally Tribe contributed with 11 kills and one block, along with redshirt senior Alicia Coppedge who amounted nine kills and seven blocks.
“I think in recent weeks we’ve done a lot of work and gotten a lot better with our kills per set and scoring points,” Price-Torok said. “So that’s something that’s exciting going into this weekend.”
Tulsa
The Golden Hurricanes are No. 4 in the AAC. Tulsa is No.10 in hitting percentage with .195 and seventh in kills with an average of 12.48. They are also third in blocking with an average of 2.22 per set. Middle blocker Tytiana Johnson is fourth in hitting percentage and first in blocks with .332 and 1.37, respectively. Libero Marta Pecalli is first in digs with an average of 4.81 per set and seventh in service aces 0.36.
Wichita
The Shockers are No.3 in the AAC. Wichita State has been able to close point gaps and shut out opponents to claim large leads. The team is No. 7 in hitting percentage with .218 and sixth for kills with an average of 12.62. They also have an average of 2.16 in blocking. Key players for the Shockers are middle blocker Morgan Stout, who is sixth in hitting percentage with .308 and sixth overall with a total 401 points this season for the AAC. Along with middle blocker Sarah Barham who is ninth in blocks with an average of one.
Predictions
Both games this weekend will be great opportunities for fans to watch on ESPN+ as UTSA looks to earn its first road win this weekend.
Paisano Pick: UTSA 3-2 Tulsa, Wichita State 3-0 UTSA
