EL PASO — Preseason Conference USA Player of the Year McKenzie Adams amassed 22 kills and UTSA hit .312 en route to a 25-19, 25-22, 27-25 sweep at UTEP on Sunday. The victory was the Roadrunners' first against the Miners in El Paso since the 1990 season.
Adams added a dozen digs and UTSA (16-7, 8-1 C-USA) also received 15 winners from Dajana Boskovic. Annie Kunes had a match-high 14 digs, while Jessica Waldrip delivered 44 assists.
Reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Week Xitlali Herrera paced UTEP (12-9, 5-4 C-USA) with 13 kills.
A back-and-forth first set finally swung the Roadrunners way, as three Adams’ kills and back-to-back service aces from Waldrip broke open a 20-all tie. Adams finished the frame with seven winners and Waldrip contributed 13 assists.
The duo of Adams and Waldrip teamed up to lead the way again in the second stanza. Adams tallied seven more kills and Waldrip dished out 16 helpers, while Boskovic downed another five kills. UTSA again used a late surge to take a commanding 2-0 lead into intermission.
The Roadrunners hit .364 in the final frame and fought off UTEP’s comeback bid to secure the program's first victory in El Paso in more than two decades.
UTSA will finish the road portion of its regular season schedule next weekend. The Roadrunners will square off with Charlotte (10-14, 0-8 C-USA) on Friday, Nov. 1, and Marshall (13-11, 7-2 C-USA) two days later.