| Kendra Rowland continued her strong start to the season on Tuesday night. |
SAN ANTONIO ? UTSA got on the winning track in a big way on Tuesday night, sweeping Texas-Pan American by scores of 30-18, 30-21, 30-21 in the 2007 home opener at the Convocation Center. It was the Roadrunners' 34th consecutive victory in the all-time series, which is the nation's second-longest active streak between non-conference foes.
UTSA, which has not lost to UTPA since Oct. 15, 1983, picked up its first win of the year and improved to 1-3, while the Lady Broncs dropped their third straight and fell to 1-4 on the young season.
The Roadrunners came out swinging in game one, hitting .357 as a team with freshman outside hitter Kendra Rowland leading the charge with seven winners. UTSA used a 13-3 run midway through the stanza to take control and cruised to the 12-point victory. The Roadrunners trailed just once in game two and they were strong on defense, producing 26 digs and five blocks. UTSA continued the offensive onslaught after the intermission by hitting .429, as Rowland and senior middle hitter Victoria Prior led the way with eight and seven kills, respectively.
Rowland, fresh off All-Tournament honors at last weekend's Bronco Invitational, shattered her career high with a match-leading 19 kills and she hit a robust .533. The Antioch, Calif., native also tied junior setter Rebecca Hrapmann for the team lead with 13 digs. Hrapmann added a career-high 40 assists. Prior chipped in with 17 winners and a .519 hitting percentage, while senior outside hitter Cristina Almeida served up a career-best five aces. Prior also added a match-best seven total blocks (two solo/five assists), as UTSA had a season-best 11 on the night.
Outside hitters Marci Logan and Kellie Phillips led Texas-Pan American with six kills apiece, while libero Rebecca Toddy recorded 17 digs.
The Roadrunners return to action on Friday when they play Weber State (0-1) in the opening match of the North Florida Labor Day Classic. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. (CT) and the match can be heard live on goUTSA.com (Rowdy Zone subscription required).