MIAMI – Outside hitter Brianna McCulloch racked up a match-high 21 kills and led UTSA to a come-from-behind five-set win (23-25,20-25,25-20,25-21,15-10) against FIU on Sunday afternoon in Conference USA action. The win puts the Roadrunners on a four-match winning streak with an 11-13 overall record and a 9-3 C-USA showing.
The sophomore from San Antonio was a force throughout the contest, as she delivered 59 of UTSA's 165 total attempts and added two blocks. Joining McCulloch in double-digits were Hannah Froeschl with 13, Marijeta Runjic with 12 and Kara Teal with 10.
Defensively, the Roadrunners were directed by 20 digs from libero Emily Ramirez and seven blocks from Teal and five blocks from Megan Slan.
FIU (5-15, 3-9 C-USA) got off to a fast start, winning the first two sets by scores of 25-23 and 25-20, and it looked like the Birds were well on their way to ending their winning streak. However, UTSA got back on track in the third frame, behinds seven kills from McCulloch and three blocks from Slan. UTSA hit .256 and led 21-15 before FIU threatened with a 3-0 run to come within three. Back-to-back kills from McCulloch negated the comeback bid and sealed the set for the Roadrunners.
After the two teams exchanged leads through the first 20 points of the fourth set, the Roadrunners took command with a 5-1 run to win the set and tie the match at two. McCulloch added another four helpers in the fourth stanza while Runjic dished out three with no errors for a .600 attack percentage.
UTSA stayed resilient in the deciding frame, jumping out to 5-2 lead and never looking back. The Roadrunners collected the fifth set on a 5-0 run that featured four FIU attacking errors.
UTSA will look to extend its four-match winning streak as it returns to the friendly confines of the Convocation Center. This week the Roadrunners welcome Charlotte on Thursday and Rice on Saturday.
