Sophomore Kelsey Jewasko had a career-high 31 digs on Tuesday night. |
SAN ANTONIO — UTSA received a career-high 31 digs from libero Kelsey Jewasko and the Roadrunners outlasted Cal State Bakersfield in five sets (25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 15-25, 16-14) on Tuesday night at the Convocation Center, giving eighth-year head coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff her school-record 115th victory.
UTSA (3-5) got off to a fast start, winning the first two sets by identical 25-18 scores, and it looked like the Birds were well on their way to ending their three-match losing streak.
However, CSU Bakersfield (3-4) came out firing after intermission, hitting .354, and it used a late 6-2 run to close out the frame. CSUB then went on to score six of the first seven points of the following stanza and cruised to an easy 10-point triumph to send the match to a fifth-and-deciding set.
UTSA jumped out to an early 5-3 lead, but Cal State Bakersfield scored eight of the next 10 points to go in front 11-7. The Roadrunners responded with a 4-0 run to tie things up and went on to serve for the match at 14-13. CSUB got a kill from Lindsay Toone to stave off the match point, but middle hitter Stefanie Robbins slammed home her ninth winner of the night to put UTSA back in front by one and Evelyn Pineda followed with a service ace to give UTSA the thrilling victory.
Middle hitter Briana Mason led a balanced Roadrunners offense with a dozen kills, while outside hitter Andee Josserand also was in double figures with 10.
Defensively, the Birds posted season highs in both digs (93) and blocks (13).
Jewasko, last year's Southland Conference Libero of the Year, easily eclipsed her previous best of 27 digs set last year against Texas State (Sept. 27). Defensive specialist Megan Schauffele and setter Amber Brooks both had 14 and outside hitter Kendra Rowland added a baker's dozen.
Mason led four players that recorded at least four blocks with six (two solo/four assists). Middle hitter Brittney Malloy, Rowland and outside hitter Whitney Walls each registered four block assists.
Lindy DeGeare led all players with 23 kills and Kayla Williamson collected a match-best 34 digs to lead CSU Bakersfield.
Neugebauer-Groff surpassed Dave Hawk, who won 114 matches from 1989-95.
The Roadrunners return to action later this week when they travel to Hawai`i for The Honolulu Advertiser Challenge. UTSA will open tournament play at 10 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, Sept. 10, against No. 10 Stanford (3-2).