COLLEGE STATION — UTSA avenged last season's first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday with a five-set victory at Texas A&M (28-26, 25-16, 16-25, 23-25, 15-12) in the final match of this weekend's season-opening Texas A&M Invitational. The win was the Roadrunners' first-ever victory against the Aggies.
UTSA (2-1) concluded the tournament in second place and placed two players on the all-tournament team, as Marijeta Runjic and Jessica Waldrip were recognized for their efforts this weekend.
Runjic led the Roadrunners offense with her second double-double of the fall, as she tallied 24 kills to go along with 16 digs and three blocks. Meanwhile, Kylie Schott registered a dozen kills and was perfect on the day en route to hitting a match-high .462 attack percentage.
Junior Annie Kunes and Waldrip both had career days.
Kunes recorded 39 digs, surpassing her previous mark of 32 against Baylor last season, while Waldrip posted her second double-double of the weekend with 56 assists and 19 digs.
Also having a career day was Jordan Kotara, who registered 16 digs and four blocks.
The Roadrunners, who hit a .153 for the match, battled in the opening frame for a 28-26 win. The stanza featured eight ties and four lead changes with the final tie coming from the Aggies at the 26-all. A kill by Runjic was followed by a block by Runjic and Megan Slan, which secured the first-set win.
UTSA had better control of the frame in the second, as they posted a 25-16 win. The Roadrunners took an early 3-1 lead on a pair of kills and a defensive miscue by the Aggies.
After a 7-all tie, UTSA went on a 5-2 run to extend their lead to 12-9 and the Birds continued to pull away from Texas A&M. They eventually ended the set on a 5-3 run, including three straight scores.
The Roadrunners were unable to seal the match in the third and fourth sets, as they fell 25-16 and 25-23. UTSA came close to winning the fourth, as the frame saw 16 ties and seven lead changes. The Roadrunners held a lead at the 23-22 mark, which forced a Texas A&M timeout. An attack error by UTSA evened the score at 23-all, but a kill by Ashlie Reasor followed by a block gave the Aggies the win.
In the deciding set, UTSA had full control the entire way. A&M came within one of the Roadrunners on two occasions but were unable to capitalize. UTSA concluded the frame on a 3-2 run, using a kill by Runjic to secure the win.
The Roadrunners will continue their season-opening road trek next weekend at the Delta Zeta Classic, which will hosted by Texas State from Sept. 5-6. The Roadrunners will take on their I-35 rivals at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5.