DALLAS — UTSA opened its 2016 campaign with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-11) victory over Little Rock in the opening match of the SMU Doubletree Classic.
The Roadrunners (1-0) defense was on display early as they held Little Rock to negative hitting percentages in each of the three sets. As a team, UTSA hit a .221 clip and held Little Rock to a -.077 attack percentage.
Senior Dajana Boskovic paced the Roadrunners offense with 11 kills and added six digs and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Antonela Jularic and Marijeta Runjic each chipped in with nine kills each. Libero Shelby Williams set a new personal mark with six service aces, which tied the single-match record for three sets that was set back on Sept. 10, 1995. UTSA's 12 team aces also tied a single-match record for three sets.
The Roadrunners rolled through Little Rock (0-1) in the opening set and cruised to a 25-13 win.
UTSA kept the momentum going in the second set and led 12-1 before the Trojans could get on the board on a block. A 7-0 run by Little Rock cut the Roadrunners' lead in half. The Trojans made another late run in the frame and came within three at the 19-16 mark that forced UTSA to take a timeout. The Roadrunners managed to fend off the Trojans and a kill by Jessica Waldrip secured the 25-21 win.
In the third set, UTSA made easy work of Little Rock. The Roadrunners jumped to an 11-3 lead and forced the Trojans to take their first timeout. UTSA stayed hot the remaining way and won the third set 25-11.
UTSA moves to 15-19 in season openers and will complete the first day of the SMU Doubletree Classic with a match-up against host SMU at 7 p.m.
