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SAN ANTONIO - Winners of three consecutive matches to open the 2018 season, UTSA volleyball will hit the road for a three-match test at the Texas State Creeds & Crests Classic, facing the host Bobcats on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Roadrunners will return to action on Friday at 12 p.m. vs. Abilene Christian and 4:30 p.m. vs. UIW.
UTSA (3-0) is coming off a three-match weekend to open the year, earning wins over San Francisco, Quinnipiac and Army to win the Army Invitational Tournament. Kara Teal was named MVP of the event and Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week after earning 1.33 blocks per set, while Brianna McCulloch – who had 3.92 kills per set – was named to the all-tournament team. Kirby Smith earned C-USA Freshman of the Week after leading all league freshmen in digs (4.45) and kills per set (2.83).
The Roadrunners have averaged 14.17 kills per set, 13.42 assists per set and 15.08 digs per set to open the year. Hannah Foeschl has averaged 2.42 kills per set, with senior Amanda Gonzales leading the team with 12.25 assists per set. Freshman Hannah Lopez had 13 kills in her collegiate debut vs. USF and Montse Castro added eight kills in three matches. Senior Shelby Williams had 2.58 digs per set, with freshman Mia Ybarra owning 3.17 digs per set.
Texas State (0-3) played three stiff matches to open the year in Waco, Texas, falling in three sets each to Marquette, No. 16 Baylor and LSU. The Bobcats have totaled 11.7 kills, 11.3 assists and 13.8 digs per set as a team. Megan Porter leads the team in kills per set (3.00), with Brooke Johnson and Micah Dinwiddle each owning 20 digs to pace the defense. Emily Dewalt has a team-high 5.56 assists per set.
UIW (0-3) has averaged 10.8 kills, 10.5 assists and 11.9 digs per set through its first three matches of 2018. Autumn Lockley leads the team with 3.70 kills per set, Chloe Patton leads the team with 2.80 digs per set and Carissa McGarity has a team-high nine blocks. Kendall Kilchrist has a team-high 5.5 assists per set.
Abilene Christian (2-2) opened its season with four matches in Atlanta, Ga., at an event hosted by Georgia Tech. ACU lost its first two matches, a five-set setback vs. Idaho State in the season opener and a three-set sweep at the hands of the Yellow Jackets. ACU bounced back with a five-set win over Winthrop and a four-set win over Georgetown. Katelyn Mueller leads the team in kills per set (3.41), Kendall Bosse in assists per set (9.29) and Mikal Brown in digs per set (3.62).
-UTSA-