SAN ANTONIO — UTSA hit .386 behind a balanced offensive attack and the Roadrunners swept Belmont by scores of 25-17, 25-18, 25-15 in the opening match of the UTSA Classic on Thursday night.
UTSA (3-2) posted its best hitting performance of the young campaign, including a .441 hitting percentage in the final set. Junior Brandy Huskey guided the offense with 33 assists in addition to her 10 digs for the match's only double-double, while freshman Annie Kunes collected a match-high 15 digs and junior McKenzie Adams chipped in with 12 stops.
The Bruins (1-3) struggled offensively and were limited to a .109 hitting percentage on the night.
UTSA opened the contest by hitting at a .387 clip. The squads played even for the first 18 points before the Roadrunners went on an 8-3 spurt to claim the momentum. UTSA, which limited the Bruins to a .061 hitting percentage in the frame, increased its lead to as much as seven before a service error by Belmont ended the panel.
The Roadrunners raced out to a 17-4 advantage in the second set, but the Bruins managed a 14-7 run to pull within six. Senior Whitney Walls, who netted four kills in the frame, quelled the threat after posting the final winner on an assist from Kunes.
UTSA jumped out to another big advantage in the final frame by posting a 16-7 lead. The two teams then split the next 14 points before Danielle Porchaska ended a long rally with a kill to pull Belmont to within eight. However, senior Brittney Malloy and Adams netted back-to-back winners to close out the contest.
The Roadrunners will continue tournament play with a pair of matches on Saturday. UTSA will host Belmont again at noon before concluding the event with a 6:30 p.m. tilt against UTEP (0-3).