Junior Briana Mason dominated the net on Wedensday night with eight total blocks.SAN ANTONIO
— With a school-record crowd of 1,537 fans watching from the stands, UTSA used a balanced effort on both offense and defense to defeat McNeese State (26-24, 25-19, 24-26, 25-14) on Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.
The Roadrunners (8-12, 3-3 SLC) received a double-double of 16 kills and 10 digs from outside hitter Kendra Rowland and fellow outside hitter Whitney Walls tied her career best with 15 winners and added a personal record six block assists.
UTSA rallied from a 22-19 deficit in the opening set and went on to score seven of the final nine points to take the early lead. The Birds steadily pulled away one frame later and they took a commanding 2-0 lead into the locker room.
It was all Roadrunners following intermission, as they jumped out to an early 7-1 lead to open the third set, but the Cowgirls (14-6, 2-4 SLC) responded with a 7-1 run of their own to tie things up at eight. Just as it did in the previous stanza, UTSA began to pull away and they served for the sweep at 24-20. However, McNeese State was up to the challenge and it staved off three more match points and closed out the frame with a 6-0 run to send the contest to a fourth set.
UTSA scored the first five points of the deciding stanza, extended the edge to 11-3 and never looked back in finishing off its fourth victory in its last five outings.
The Roadrunners dominated the net defensively, tying their season high with 13 blocks. Middle hitter Briana Mason led the way with a solo and career-high seven assists.
UTSA was just as strong in the back, as libero Kelsey Jewasko led four players in double figures with 14 digs. Setter Vickie Mundell and outside hitter Elise Huskey added 11 apiece.
The Cowgirls (14-6, 2-4 SLC), who lost for the fifth time in their past seven matches, were led by Priscilla Massengale's match-leading 17 winners.
The announced attendance easily broke the former record of 1,150 set on Nov. 13, 1999, when Florida swept the Birds.
UTSA returns to action on Saturday evening when it heads to Nacogdoches for a 5 p.m. contest against Stephen. F. Austin (15-9, 4-2 SLC).