AUSTIN – The UTSA volleyball team opened the 2021 season with a 3-1 loss to No. 20 San Diego Saturday afternoon at Gregory Gym.
Set One
The Roadrunners started the match off strong with a 3-0 run to open the first set. Back-to-back kills from Hannah Lopez and a USD service error put UTSA on top. A three-point surge from the Roadrunners extend the lead to five, 10-5. UTSA hit another run to lead 15-7 at the media timeout. After an ace from senior Mia Ybarra, the Toreros called a timeout as the Roadrunners led 18-10. Kills from Tiana Davis and Hunter Coppola pushed the lead the 10 (21-11) and forced another timeout from San Diego. Three kills and an error from the Toreros closed out the first set as UTSA garnered the set 25-11.
Set Two
The second set was a battle from start to finish, including five ties and two lead changes. Coming out of the break, USD opened with a 3-2 run and stayed ahead by one until a kill from Coppola tied the set 5-5. Two errors and a block by Coppola and Amanda Ifeanyi put the Roadrunners on top (8-5) for the first time in the set. UTSA was able to hold onto the lead until the Toreros went on a huge 17-4 run to finish the set and capture a 25-19 win to tie the match (1-1).
Set Three
In set three, San Diego kept its momentum going opening with a 5-1 run. The Roadrunners were able to close the gap to four (12-8), but a 5-0 run extend the lead to 11 (20-9). UTSA had big kills and blocks from Jessica Langridge and Bianca Ejesieme, but it wasn't enough to catch up to the Toreros before the end of the set. After a 25-13 win, USD led 2-1 going to the fourth set.
Set Four
The Toreros continued to find the open court as they took set four 25-15. With 11 kills, the Roadrunners were able to stay in the match, but four service errors and 15 kills from USD kept them from closing the gap.
The Roadrunners take on No. 1 Texas tomorrow at 1 p.m. to close out opening weekend.
Notes
- Hannah Lopez had a double-double with 11 kills and 16 digs on the day.
- Courtney Aulbaugh, Brooke Hirsch, Tiana Davis, Audrey Smith and Mekaila Aupiu all made their Roadrunner debuts.
- UTSA is 0-1 on the season.
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