DENVER, Colo. — UTSA split its two matches, both in three sets, on Saturday at the Pioneers Classic. The Roadrunners swept Drake by scores of 25-19, 25-21 and 25-13 in their finale after dropping a 25-23, 25-20, 25-15 decision to UC Davis earlier in the day. The Birds, now 5-6 on the season, finished the two-day event with a 2-2 record.
UTSA concludes Pioneers Classic with sweep of Drake
DENVER, Colo. — UTSA wrapped up play at this weekend's Pioneers Classic with a sweep (25-19, 25-21, 25-13) of Drake on Saturday evening. The Roadrunners (5-6) finished the two-day tournament with a 2-2 record.
Freshman Dempsey Thornton racked up a match-high 12 kills and redshirt junior Kelsey Schwirtlich dished out 33 assists in leading UTSA to a .257 hitting percentage.
The Birds' defensive efforts limited Drake (3-7) to an .064 hitting percentage and senior Kelsey Jewasko collected a match-best 14 digs. Meanwhile, junior Megan Wimbish chipped in with 13 saves and senior Elise Huskey added a dozen.
After falling behind 7-2 in the first set, UTSA battled back and used a 7-0 run to take a 12-8 lead. The Roadrunners never looked back and limited Drake's hitters to an .098 hitting percentage to take the six-point win.
The Birds hit at a .308 clip in the second frame to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room. UTSA put together a 6-0 run to take an 8-2 lead in the stanza, but the Bulldogs battled back to pull within one at 20-19. However, a Roadrunners' 5-2 spurt put the set on ice.
UTSA opened up a 13-7 advantage after intermission and cruised from there. The Birds extended their lead to 11 before junior Allie Bettinger came off the bench to provide the final winner.
Drake received 22 assists from Caitlin Johnson and 11 digs from Jadranka Tramosljani.
UTSA returns to action on Friday, Sept. 16, when it begins play at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational in Austin. The Roadrunners open the two-day event against SMU (4-5).
UC Davis capitalizes on UTSA errors, rolls to sweep on Saturday
DENVER, Colo. — UTSA committed 25 attack errors and 11 more service miscues and UC Davis took advantage by sweeping the Roadrunners (25-23, 25-20, 25-15) on Saturday at the Pioneers Classic.
Redshirt junior Kelsey Schwirtlich handed out 25 assists, but UTSA (4-6) recorded just a .125 hitting percentage. Senior Elise Huskey collected a match-high 14 digs and senior Kelsey Jewasko added 11.
Betsy Sedlak posted 11 winners and Jenny Woolway guided the Aggies to a .245 hitting percentage with 25 assists, as UC Davis (9-1) remained undefeated at the two-day tournament.
UTSA led for most of the first set, but the momentum shifted following a UC Davis timeout with the Birds in front, 20-17. Following the break, the Aggies reeled off an 8-3 run to close out the frame.
After UC Davis scored 17 of the first 24 points of the second panel, the Roadrunners used a 13-7 spurt to pull within four, but the Aggies finished off the set with a kill from Allison Whitson to take a commanding 2-0 lead into the locker room.
UC Davis continued to roll in the final stanza by racing out to a 21-7 advantage. UTSA managed to score five consecutive points, but the Aggies proved to be too much and they were able to finish off the sweep.
UTSA will conclude tournament play at 6 p.m. against Drake (2-6).
