SAN ANTONIO — UTSA dropped a five-set marathon to I-35 rival Texas State by scores of 25-21, 22-25, 23-25, 25-16, 10-15 on Friday night. The setback snapped a four-match winning streak for the Roadrunners (7-5).
McKenzie Adams led the way with a double-double of 29 kills and 14 digs, while Dajana Boskovic and Dempsey Thornton each tallied 13 winners. Annie Kunes’ 22 digs paced five UTSA players in double digits.
Things looked promising from the start for the Roadrunners, who claimed a 1-0 lead on the strength of six Adams’ kills and a sideout percentage of 80-percent in the opening game. Texas State (10-5) hit .128 and was blocked three times at the net.
Texas State hit .317 to even the match heading into intermission, as the Bobcats broke open a 15-all tie in the second with a 6-1 run that included three kills from Ashlee Hillbun, who finished with a team-high 24 winners.
Texas State again put together a late rally in the third, as it emerged from a 21-17 with a set-closing 8-2 run. UTSA regained some of its offensive mojo in the third by hitting .355, but Hillbun strung together four of her set-high seven kills over the set's final 10 points to give the Bobcats their first lead of the night.
With their backs against the wall, the Roadrunners came out firing in the fourth stanza to even the match. Six of Adams’ nine attempts found the court, as UTSA hit an efficient .500. Kunes picked up a set-leading seven digs to allow the Birds to run away with the frame and set up a winner-take-all fifth set.
The Roadrunners started off strong by scoring the opening three points, but that subsequently was matched by a 3-0 Bobcats run. After battling to a 6-all tie, the Roadrunners saw Texas State score nine of the final 13 points to close out the victory.
UTSA will be right back on the court on Saturday when it hosts Houston Baptist (5-7). First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m.