SAN ANTONIO – UTSA took the opening set, but Charlotte rallied to win the next three for a 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-18 victory on Thursday night. The loss ended the Roadrunners' four-match winning streak.
The 49ers (19-10, 6-7 C-USA) received 18 kills from outside hitter Sydney Rowan to lead the come-from-behind victory, while Sofie Perrens handed out 24 assists and Yumi Garcia collected a match-high19 digs.
Senior Marijeta Runjic led the Roadrunners with a double-double performance featuring 22 winners and 11 digs while junior Amanda Gonzales tallied a match-high 48 assists to collect her 1,000th assist on the season. Junior Shelby Williams led three Roadrunners in double digits with 16 digs.
After UTSA (11-14, 9-4 C-USA) picked up a two-point victory in the opening panel, Charlotte put together a late push to tie things up heading into intermission.
The Birds held a 14-13 lead in the second set before a kill from Janell Sparks ignited a 6-0 run for the 49ners. UTSA responded with a trio of kills from Runjic but the deficit was too great to overcome as Charlotte took the set, 25-20.
The 49ners carried the momentum into the third frame, taking a 9-7 lead, but the Roadrunners battled back to tie the set at 10. The set would tie five more times before Charlotte reeled off a 4-0 run to take the lead and the frame.
Maintaining control, Charlotte opened the final set with a 5-2 victory and never looked. The 49ners stretched the advantage to as much as six and held off UTSA's final surge to clinch the victory.
UTSA is back in action on Saturday when it welcomes Rice for its final match of the regular season. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m.
