| UTSA won its fifth match in a row on Wednesday night. |
SAN ANTONIO ? Sophomore outside hitter Kendra Rowland had a match-high 20 kills and second-year middle hitter Valorie Rogers racked up 17, as UTSA won its fifth contest in a row with a 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-14 victory against Texas-Pan American on Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners improved to 6-6 with the four-set win, while the Lady Broncs ? playing for the first time since Sept. 6 ? saw their season record fall to 3-5.
It was all UTSA in the early going, as it jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the opening set and never looked back. The Roadrunners used a 9-1 run midway through the frame to seize control. Rowland collected a half dozen winners on just 12 swings and Rogers had five in only seven attacks.
Texas-Pan American rallied in the next set, coming back from an early 4-1 deficit and 17-14 hole later on. With the teams tied at 20, the Lady Broncs scored five of the final seven points to claim a three-point win to send the teams into the locker room tied at one.
Head coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff made some adjustments following the intermission and UTSA took control of the match the rest of the way.
The Birds hit a collective .260 (27 kills/73 attacks/eight errors) en route to double-digit victories in the final two sets.
Freshman Kelsey Jewasko, who saw action at both libero and outside hitter, led all players with 24 digs and three service aces and she added five kills on 14 attacks. Rowland, meanwhile, had 13 digs for her team-leading seventh double-double of the year. Freshman setter Amber Brooks added 40 assists, her fifth tilt in a row with at least 40, and junior middle hitter Stefanie Robbins had a match-best four blocks.
UTSA continued its domination in the all-time series, winning for the 35th time in 38 meetings. The Birds have been successful in 35 of the past 36 matches overall.
Kellie Phillips led UTPA with 10 kills and Rebecca Toddy led three Lady Broncs in double figures with 19 digs.
UTSA, which now has the next eight days off, is back in action on Friday, Sept. 26, when it opens Southland Conference play against UT Arlington. First serve is scheduled 7 p.m. at the Convo.