Freshman Brittney Malloy had career highs of nine kills and seven blocks in just her second start of the year on Saturday.NACOGDOCHES
— UTSA's bid for consecutive victories against Stephen F. Austin came up short on Saturday evening when the Ladyjacks rallied from a 2-1 deficit and posted a 25-18, 19-25, 18-25, 25-16, 15-9 victory.
After the Ladyjacks (16-9, 5-2 SLC) rolled to a first-set win, the Roadrunners responded with consecutive victories and looked to be on their way to their first back-to-back wins against SFA in nearly nine years.
However, UTSA (8-13, 3-4 SLC) was charged with 14 errors, while recording just seven kills in the fourth set and the Jacks dominated the net with a half dozen blocks to send the match to a fifth-and-deciding frame.
The Birds scored two of the first three points of the final stanza, but Stephen F. Austin responded with a 7-0 run that essentially put the match on ice. UTSA got within four (10-6) late, but by that point, it was too little, too late and SFA 22nd-year head coach Debbie Humphreys won the 500th contest of her career.
Outside hitter Kendra Rowland led the Roadrunners with a double-double of 11 digs and 10 kills. Meanwhile, middle hitter Brittney Malloy had career highs of nine winners and seven total blocks in just the second start of the season.
Libero Kelsey Jewasko led a quintet of players in double figures with 17 digs.
Mary Caitlin Bottles led the Ladyjacks with a match-high 16 kills, while Arielle Daron added 13, including five in the final set. Ashley Bailey added 11 winners and seven total blocks (five solo/two assists) and Madison Hanlan led all players with 25 digs and five service aces.
UTSA is back at home on Thursday, Oct. 22, when it hosts Northwestern State (1-15, 0-8 SLC) at 6:30 p.m.