HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Senior Kara Teal matches her career-high in kills with 15, helping UTSA avoid an upset against Southern Miss at Reed Green Arena Friday.
With a clash against nationally ranked Western Kentucky looming, the Roadrunners found themselves in a 2-1 hole against the Golden Eagles, before rallying and claiming a five-set (25-22, 21-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-11) victory.
UTSA completes the first half of Conference USA play with a mark of 6-1 and 13-7 overall, extending their winning streak to four. Southern Miss – which won six of 62 games this season – dropped to 1-19 overall and remain winless in six league contests.
Teal hit .636 (15-1-22) and was one of four Roadrunners with double-digit kills. Sophomores Hannah Lopez and Kirby Smith finished with 12 each, while senior Brianna McCulloch tallied 10. Lopez added a career-high 16 digs, tallying her sixth double-double of the season.
Reigning Conference USA Setter of the Week, Courtney Walters inked her fifth double-double of the season with 45 assists and career-best 15 digs. This is the rookie's third match of the year with at least 40 helpers.
Sophomore Mia Ybarra chipped in with 23 digs, more than doubling her previous match high of 10. Freshman Jenna Patton tallied four blocks, including three solo rejections.
UTSA grabbed game one and jumped out to an early advantage in game two at 7-1 but the Golden Eagles rallied before intermission, tying the match at 1-1.
Looking for the first win in league play, Southern Miss outhit the Roadrunners .263 (14-4-38) to .122 (11-6-41) in the middle game and held a 2-1 edge.
Stingy defense by the Roadrunners in the fourth game – allowing USM to hit .028 (8-7-36) – propelled them to cruise to a 10-point victory and force a fifth and final set.
UTSA held an 8-3 lead when the teams changed sides in game five. The Roadrunners withstood a late rally by the home side, getting out of Mississippi unscathed.
The Roadrunners head to WKU, which moved into the top-25 for the first time this season at No. 24 Monday and defeated Middle Tennessee in three sets Friday. First serve is at noon Sunday in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
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