SAN MARCOS — UTSA won two of the first three sets, but Texas State rallied to win the final two to outlast the Roadrunners in a five-set thriller (25-19, 25-20, 27-29, 27-25, 15-13) on Saturday at Strahan Coliseum.
The Bobcats (11-11, 6-5 WAC) gained the momentum after overcoming a six-point deficit in the fourth stanza. Texas State claimed the panel by two points and never trailed in the final set.
Junior outside hitter McKenzie Adams racked up a double-double of a match-high 20 kills and 13 digs, but it was not enough for UTSA (13-8, 6-5 WAC). Junior setter Brandy Huskey handed out 55 assists and led the Roadrunners to a .231 hitting percentage, while junior defensive specialist Paige Hamilton collected a contest-best 22 digs.
Caylin Mahoney paced the Bobcats with a double-double of 25 assists and 11 winners, while Amari Deardorff and Alexandra Simms each chipped in with 16 kills.
UTSA rolled in the opening set behind 16 kills and a .267 hitting percentage. The Birds raced out to a 10-5 advantage before increasing their advantage to as much as eight points.
The Bobcats led the second frame from the opening serve and never looked back. Texas State stretched its advantage to 16-10 following Laura Whalen's service ace. However, the Roadrunners used a 7-4 spurt to cut the deficit to three points before the Bobcats pulled away for the five-point victory.
UTSA had to net a comeback win to take a 2-1 lead in the contest.
The Birds trailed 21-18, but won the next three points to tie up the third set. After the two teams traded the next 12 points, UTSA used a Bobcats attack error and a winner by Adams to pull ahead.
However, Texas State seized control of the match after that.
The Roadrunners sprinted out to a 6-0 lead in the fourth set, but the Bobcats battled back and tied things up at 16. With the score knotted at 25, the Birds hit a serve into the net and Texas State posted a block on UTSA's final attack to send the contest to a fifth and deciding set.
The Bobcats opened a 4-1 advantage in the final frame and had to fight off a late run by the Roadrunners. After UTSA tied the stanza at 13, Deardorff slammed home a winner and Simms tallied a service ace to close out the match.
UTSA will return home to face Idaho (9-11, 7-3 WAC) on Thursday, Oct. 25. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.