Junior Briana Mason had career high with 17 kills and added five blocks on Saturday. |
SAN MARCOS — Middle hitter Briana Mason slammed home a career-high 17 kills and added five total blocks, but it wasn't enough, as Texas State swept UTSA (25-23, 25-19, 31-29) on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,298 rowdy fans at Strahan Coliseum.
The Roadrunners (4-11, 0-2 SLC) lost for the sixth time in their last seven contests, while the Bobcats (8-9, 2-0 SLC) won their fourth match in a row and seventh in nine contests overall.
After the two teams traded points in the early stages of the first set, Texas State used a 6-1 run to go in front 11-7. The lead swelled to a half dozen, but UTSA tied the frame at 23 by virtue of an 8-3 stretch. However, a kill by Jessica Weynand produced a set point for the Bobcats and a Whitney Walls attack error on the next service gave Texas State a 1-0 lead.
The Bobcats took control of the next stanza by hitting .310 while limiting UTSA to red type (-.031) and they went into intermission with a commanding advantage.
The Roadrunners had five chances to send the contest to a fourth set and even staved off a pair of match points in the process, but Texas State would not be denied and it posted its 46th victory in 57 all-time meetings with the Birds.
Libero Kelsey Jewasko had a match-high 16 digs and setter Amber Brooks chipped in with a dozen to go along with 37 assists and a pair of service aces.
Texas State was led by Melinda Cave's 15 winners, while Shelbi Irvin and AJ Watlington led the Bobcats with 11 digs apiece.
UTSA continues its four-match road trip on Friday, Oct. 2, when it travels to Prairie View A&M for a 4 p.m. contest. The Roadrunners defeated the Lady Panthers in four sets on Sept. 1 and have won all 14 all-time meetings between the two programs.