UTSA to take five-match winning streak to McNeese State on Saturday

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA will look to continue its winning ways at 2 p.m. on Saturday when it takes on McNeese State at Memorial Gym.

The Roadrunners (11-8, 5-0 SLC) swept their fifth consecutive opponent to open the Southland Conference slate on Tuesday night at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Senior Elise Huskey posted a match-high 10 kills, while redshirt junior Kelsey Schwirtlich handed out a match-leading 34 assists.

UTSA features a balanced attack, as four players average more than 2.5 kills per frame. Junior Whitney Walls leads the squad at 2.97 winners per set, while Huskey follows with 2.96. Sophomore McKenzie Adams and freshman Dempsey Thornton round out the top four with 2.78 and 2.59 kills per stanza, respectively.

The Roadrunners' offensive attack has been guided this season by Schwirtlich, who is dishing out a conference-best 10.49 assists per panel. The Corpus Christi native also has led the Birds to a .226 hitting percentage.

Meanwhile, UTSA's defense has held its last four opponents under a .100 hitting percentage. Overall, the Roadrunners have limited opposing teams to a .152 mark this fall.

Adams and junior Brittney Malloy pace the conference's top blocking team. Adams leads the league with 1.35 blocks per frame, while Malloy checks in with 1.15. The Birds also have been stellar on the back row, as senior Kelsey Jewasko ranks 10th in the nation with 5.67 digs per set.

The Cowgirls, 6-12 overall, are off to a 1-3 start in league play. McNeese State dropped both of its contests a week ago and its only victory in league play was a sweep of Southeastern Louisiana two weeks ago. Maegan Carlton leads the offensive attack with 3.41 kills per set, while Becky Bekelja averages 9.45 assists per panel.

Saturday marks the 42nd meeting in the series that dates back to the 1991 campaign. UTSA holds a 23-18 advantage after winning both matchups a year ago, including a five-set thriller in the opening round of the Southland Tournament in Hunstville. The Roadrunners are 6-8 against the Cowgirls in Lake Charles, La., but they have won two of the last three meetings in Memorial Gym.