BOCA RATON, Fla. – Senior Marijeta Runjic posted 15 kills and UTSA swept Conference USA foe Florida Atlantic (27-25, 25-17, 25-18) on Friday afternoon. It marked the Roadrunners' sixth straight win over the Owls since 2013.
Runjic led the Roadrunners with a match-high 15 kills on 35 attempts. The senior also added eight blocks (7 assists/1 solo), five digs and two service aces. Joining Runjic in double-digit kills was sophomore Brianna McCulloch, who added 10.
The Roadrunners' defensive effort was paced by sophomore Emily Ramirez with 10 digs while sophomore Kara Teal added seven blocks.
The two teams split the first 16 points before the Owls triggered a 6-0 run with four kills to take a 13-8 advantage. FAU led for most of the frame but UTSA stay close behind as the teams traded short runs. With FAU up 23-19, the Roadrunners used a 4-0 run powered by kills from McCulloch and Runjic to tie the set at 23. The teams would tie the set one more time at 25 before UTSA claimed the frame and the lead off a FAU service error and a kill from McCulloch.
UTSA extended its offensive control in the second frame with a .286 hitting percentage, which was aided by 14 kills. Hannah Froeschl had the hottest hand in the frame with five winners.
The Roadrunners carried their momentum into the final stanza, opening up with a 10-4 lead. A trio of attack errors from the Owls increased the UTSA lead to nine at 13-4. Antonela Jularic and Brianna Hudson later recorded aces to maintain the UTSA lead as the Roadrunners closed the match on a 3-0 run.
UTSA will continue its road swing on Sunday, Nov. 5, at FIU (C-USA).
