HOUSTON – During an entertaining and competitive match of day one at the 2019 Conference USA Volleyball Championship, UTSA outlasted North Texas in the final quarterfinal at the Tudor Fieldhouse Friday.
With a four-set triumph (25-23, 25-19, 32-34, 26-24), the sixth-seeded Roadrunners improve to 16-12, while the No. 3 seed Mean Green finish the campaign at 16-11 on the season.
UTSA makes its sixth appearance in the semifinals in seven years, since joining the league prior to the 2013 season.
In a rematch from Nov. 16 in Denton, Texas, the Roadrunners clawed out of an 0-2 hole only to drop the fifth set but UTSA turned the tables and jumped out to the 2-0 advantage as teams went to intermission.
Coming out of the break, the two sides locked horns in an epic third set that went nine points beyond regulation before a winner was decided.
With 18 ties and seven lead changes, North Texas held the first set point at 24-23 but a kill by Senior Brianna McCulloch knotted things at 24-all. Needing to win by two, neither side could get the final point, trading point for point until Miranda Youmans' successful attack drew the Mean Green even at 32-32. Youmans and Valerie Valerian teamed up for block and pushing North Texas out-in-front 33-32. Barbara Teakell's successful attack on the next serve delayed the inevitable for the Mean Green, forcing a fourth set with UTSA up 2-1.
UTSA snagged the early momentum in the fourth and looked in control at 8-3 before pressuring a timeout by the higher seed. After moving the advantage out six points on several different occasions, the Roadrunners saw their edge evaporate when an attacking miscue knotted things at 23-23.
The teams appeared to be in for a prolonged battle but McCulloch and Rhett Robinson traded successful attacks, tying the score at 24-24. McCulloch delivered once again, giving the Roadrunners the 25-24 edge before Hannah Lopez and Kara Teal teamed up for a block to seal the match for UTSA.
McCulloch accounted for a team-high 15 kills, moving her to within 34 of the 1,000-kill plateau.
Sophomore Hannah Lopez recorded her team-leading ninth double-double with 13 kills and 23 digs. With the 13 successful attacks, she boosted her career total to 508. She is eight ahead of classmate Kirby Smith, who became the 14th Roadrunner in the 25-point rally era to reach the 500-kill milestone and adding 10 digs.
Freshman Hunter Coppola finished in double-figures with 12 kills and the rookie is two away from 100 on the campaign.
All-Conference USA First Team Selection Teal stuffed the stat sheet with seven kills, nine digs, four solo blocks, three block assists and two service aces. Emily Ramirez chipped in with a team-high 24 digs, three assists and two service aces.
Freshman Courtney Walters handed out 47 helpers, inking her fifth 40-plus assists match of the season.
UTSA and No. 21 Rice meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. This is the third meeting of the year between the I-10 rivals.
