BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — UTSA came back in the second set to even the match but fell short, as No. 23 Western Kentucky topped the Roadrunners in four sets (23-25, 25-16, 22-25, 20-25) on Friday night.
UTSA (12-5, 3-1 C-USA) faced its first loss in Conference USA action in a battle of the unbeatens.The Roadrunners were held to a .229 attack percentage and were led by three players in double figures.
WKU (18-2, 5-0 C-USA) extended its win streak to 12 matches and remained the only undefeated team in the league.
Dajana Boskovic led the Roadrunners with 15 kills, 13 digs and four blocks. Antonela Jularic totaled 12 kills on the night, including six in the first set alone, while Marijeta Runjic added 10 winners with three blocks.
Meanwhile, Amanda Gonzales registered her fourth double-double of the season with 37 assists and 12 digs.
After dropping a close first set, 25-23, UTSA returned to the court a brand new team and with vengeance. After a kill from Megan Slan evened the score at two, the Roadrunners utilized the point towards momentum that led to an eventual 25-16 win in the second frame.
The Lady Hilltoppers committed 10 miscues while the Roadrunners recorded a single error. UTSA hit .323 for the set and held the home team to a .054 attack percentage.
The Roadrunners played another close set in the third as they fell short 25-22. UTSA was held to its lowest hitting percentage of the match with a .146 clip. Both teams played point-for-point through the beginning of the frame but WKU slipped away late in the set.
WKU secured the win in the fourth set as they took that set 25-20. UTSA made a late surge as they scored four of the last five points.
UTSA return to the Lone Star State as they take on UTEP on Sunday at 2 p.m.