SAN MARCOS — Sophomore McKenzie Adams hit a season-best .562 on the strength of a match-high 11 kills and UTSA swept Texas State (25-18, 25-19, 25-16) in the Southland Conference opener for both teams on Thursday at Strahan Coliseum.
The Roadrunners (7-8) trailed only twice in the match and the victory was the first on the Bobcats' home court in more than nine years (Sept. 17, 2002). It also marked UTSA's first sweep of its I-35 rival since Oct. 11, 2005.
Adams netted eight kills through the first two sets and was joined in double figures by freshman Dempsey Thornton, who recorded 10.
Meanwhile, redshirt junior Kelsey Schwirtlich guided the Birds to a .296 hitting percentage with 32 assists and junior Brittney Malloy added to the efficient attack by posting a match-high .750 hitting percentage with six kills on just eight attacks.
UTSA's defense limited Texas State (9-6) to a .116 hitting percentage on 121 swings, posted 10 total blocks and added 52 digs. Senior Kelsey Jewasko recorded a match-high 20 saves.
The Roadrunners opened the match with a .361 attack percentage to grab the early lead. UTSA used a 5-1 run late in the set to take a commanding 21-15 advantage. The Birds then won four of the final seven points, which included a trio of kills, for the seven-point triumph.
UTSA capitalized on the momentum and jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second stanza. However, the Bobcats answered with a 6-0 spurt of their own to tie things up. UTSA then reeled off an 11-5 run to take a 17-11 lead and it took a commanding 2-0 lead into the locker room.
Texas State took a brief 2-1 lead in the final stanza, but three straight points put the Roadrunners in front for good. UTSA extended the lead to as much as 10 before polishing off the sweep.
The Birds will be back in action on Saturday at UT Arlington (5-10, 1-0 SLC). First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Texas Hall.
