AUSTIN — UTSA split Friday’s two matches at the Texas Classic, as No. 4 Texas swept the Roadrunners (31-29, 25-21, 25-14) and then defeated Iona in three sets (25-17, 25-9, 25-19) behind Kasey Kiefer’s career day.
The Roadrunners (8-3) will continue their six-match road swing next weekend when they head to Dallas for the SMU Doubletree Invitational.
#4 Texas 3, UTSA 0 (31-29, 25-21, 25-14)
Both teams battled in the opening stanza but Texas proved why it is the fourth-ranked team in the nation, as it pulled out a 31-29 win. The score was tied 20 times throughout the 40-minute first set, while the lead changed nine times.
After the Longhorns (5-1) tied the score at 20, the Roadrunners responded with three consecutive points to take a 23-20 lead. A rally later, Dajana Boskovic gave UTSA set point but six more ties ensued before Texas notched the win.
Both teams kept their errors to a minimum in the second set, as they each totaled two. UTSA (7-3) hit a .441 clip, while the Longhorns hit .500 for the set. The frame started out much like the first, but, after the Roadrunners tied the score at seven, UT pulled away and never looked back.
The Horns made quick work of UTSA in the third set to finish off the sweep. The Roadrunners were held to a .111 hitting percentage, as they played from behind all the way.
Boskovic registered 14 kills, while Marijeta Runjic added 12. Jessica Waldrip totaled 34 of the team’s 39 assists and all but two Roadrunners that saw action recorded at least one dig.
UTSA 3, Iona 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-19)
In the Roadrunners second match of the day, UTSA (8-3) swept Iona behind Kasey Kiefer’s career day. The junior totaled 18 kills with seven digs and three blocks.
UTSA won the opening set 25-17 and held the Gaels (2-8) to a .182 clip, while posting a .382 hitting percentage. Kiefer led the squad with five kills in the first set.
The Roadrunners led the entire way but were given a scare at the 8-7 mark after Iona went on a 4-2 run.
In the second set, UTSA was hot out of the gates and it kept the momentum going after holding Iona to nine points, the fewest allowed in a set this season. The Roadrunners led by as many 13 points at the 20-7 mark and they scored eight consecutive points in that stretch.
UTSA earned the sweep after Iona battled to tie the score on multiple occasions. However, the Roadrunners managed to pull away on consecutive points, 11-9.