SAN ANTONIO — UTSA used a balanced effort to sweep McNeese State (25-17, 25-18, 25-18) for their fourth consecutive win on Saturday at the Convocation Center. The Roadrunners, winners of six of their last seven outings, improved to 11-9 overall and are off to their best start in Southland Conference play (5-1) since the 2003 season.
UTSA, which won for the seventh time in a row when hosting the Cowgirls, hit at a .300 clip in 120 swings while holding McNeese (7-14, 1-5 SLC) to a .076 hitting percentage. The Birds racked up 11 total blocks, including a match-best seven by sophomore Brittney Malloy.
The Roadrunners received a match-high 12 winners from sophomore Whitney Walls. Senior Kendra Rowland netted a double-double with 13 digs and 11 kills, while freshman Laura Witt posted her second straight 40-assist match. Junior Kelsey Jewasko collected 15 digs to anchor the back row.
The Cowgirls were led by sophomore Priscilla Massengale's 10 winners. Sophomore Becky Bekelja handed out 31 assists and junior Katie Kennedy tied for the match high with 15 digs.
UTSA jumped out to a 15-9 lead in the opening set and never looked back. The Roadrunners cruised to a 25-17 decision behind five winners from Walls.
The Birds again relied upon a strong offensive performance for a second frame win, as sophomore Andee Josserand chalked up five kills. UTSA grabbed a 12-11 lead after Josserand and Malloy combined on a block. The Birds then used a 7-3 run, capped off by a Rowland winner to take an 18-14 lead. Following a Massengale kill, the Roadrunners scored three consecutive points to hold a 21-15 advantage. A 4-2 spurt, which included winners from Rowland and Josserand, gave UTSA a 25-18 win.
Following intermission, UTSA received a balanced attack to close out the match as Rowland and Walls each registered five kills apiece, while Malloy notched four. A winner from Walls put the Roadrunners up 14-9 and the two teams then split the next 18 points before a pair of block assists secured the sweep.
UTSA will return to the court on Friday, Oct. 15, in a road contest at Southeastern Louisiana (10-13, 1-5 SLC). First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
