SAN ANTONIO — Junior McKenzie Adams posted her team-leading 14th double-double and UTSA overcame an early deficit to defeat Idaho in four sets (25-27, 27-25, 25-22, 25-23) on Thursday night at the Convocation Center.
Adams netted a match-high 25 kills to go along with 19 digs to pace the Roadrunners (14-8, 7-5 WAC). Seniors Whitney Walls and Brittney Malloy also recorded double-digit winners with 17 and 14, respectively, while junior Brandy Huskey logged her 13th double-double after posting 57 assists and 12 digs. Freshman Annie Kunes led all players with 25 stops.
The Vandals (10-12, 8-4 WAC) received 18 kills from Allison Walker, while Jenny Feicht turned in a double-double of 31 assists and 14 digs.
The Roadrunners fell in an early hole after the Vandals hit at a .354 clip on 48 errorless swings in the first set.
UTSA raced out to an early 9-4 advantage behind three winners from Walls. However, Idaho rallied to tie the frame at 15 and the two clubs traded the next 10 points before the Birds went up by a pair after back-to-back kills by Huskey and Adams. Following a Vandals timeout, the Roadrunners extended their lead to three, but Idaho used a 3-0 spurt to pull even. The Vandals then fought off a pair of UTSA set points and, after taking a 26-25 lead, Alyssa Schultz ended the stanza with a kill.
The Birds had to overcome a four-point deficit in the second set to even the contest.
Four consecutive attack errors by the Roadrunners allowed Idaho to open an 8-5 lead. The Vandals pushed their lead to as much as four (20-16) before UTSA mounted a comeback. UTSA used a 7-3 run to pull even and the two squads traded the next four points before Walls slammed home a winner to give the Roadrunners the advantage. Adams then served up an ace to tie up the match heading into the 10-minute break.
UTSA hit .302 and received seven kills from Adams to take a 2-1 lead.
The Birds raced out to a 6-1 advantage to set the tone. Idaho pulled to within one twice, including at 22-21, but UTSA racked up three winners in the final four serves to claim the three-point victory.
The Roadrunners used its defense to fuel another comeback win in the final stanza.
The Vandals jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead and the visitors continued to hold their three-point advantage until the score reached 15-12. UTSA then reeled off a 5-1 run that was spearheaded by Malloy's two winners to take a one-point lead. Idaho battled to tie the frame three more times before a service error put the Birds in front, 24-23. Malloy ended the match by slamming home a kill that was assisted by Huskey.
UTSA will return to action at 7 p.m. on Saturday when it hosts Seattle (7-15, 2-10 WAC).