Roadrunners return to winning ways with Monday sweep at Utah StateRoadrunners return to winning ways with Monday sweep at Utah State
Volleyball

Roadrunners return to winning ways with Monday sweep at Utah State

LOGAN, Utah — UTSA swept Western Athletic Conference-leading Utah State by scores of 25-20, 25-20 and 25-21 on Monday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

The Roadrunners (13-7, 6-4 WAC) hit .238 en route to its sixth sweep of the season. Meanwhile, the Aggies (13-7, 8-2 WAC), who were swept for the fourth time this season, were limited to a .175 hitting percentage.

Junior outside hitter McKenzie Adams posted a match-high 16 kills, while junior setter Brandy Huskey handed out 37 assists. Sophomore outside hitter Dempsey Thornton chipped in with 11 winners and freshman defensive specialist Annie Kunes anchored the back line with a match-high 22 digs.

Utah State received double-doubles from Shay Sorensen (15 kills/11 digs) and Paige Neves (34 assists/12 digs).

Adams posted eight kills and guided the Roadrunners to a opening-set victory. UTSA led from the first serve and claimed a five-point win.

Thornton netted four winners in the next frame to guide the Birds to a 2-0 advantage at intermission.

UTSA broke a 7-all tie and never looked back. The Roadrunners increased their lead to 19-14 before the Aggies reeled off three consecutive points to pull to within two. However, UTSA responded by winning five of the final eight tallies to close out the panel.

It was the Roadrunners' defense that came up big in the final stanza after UTSA posted five total blocks and 15 digs to hold Utah State to a .162 clip.

The Birds raced out to a 9-4 advantage before the Aggies netted a 9-4 run of their own to tie the frame at 13. After trading the next 14 points, UTSA claimed the lead for good on a winner by freshman middle hitter Kylie Schott. The Roadrunners won five of the final six points, including a kill from Adams to end the match.

UTSA will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 20, when it travels to San Marcos to play I-35 rival Texas State (10-11, 5-5 WAC). First serve is slated for 2 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum. The Roadrunners' Sept. 21 sweep was their first home victory against the Bobcats in nearly four years (Sept. 28, 2008).