TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – UTSA dropped game two of the Crimson Tide Invitational to tournament host Alabama Friday night in three straight sets (25-23, 27-25, 25-20).
The Roadrunners and Crimson Tide played three tightly contested, back and forth sets as Alabama moved to 2-0 on the young 2022 volleyball season.
Caroline Krueger led the Roadrunners with eight kills in the match to pair with a block and an assist. Cansu Günaydin tallied six kills of her own and Alicia Coppedge recorded four kills.
Courtney Walters had 15 assists across the three sets while Mia Ybarra and Ava Camacho each pitched in 10 digs to lead the team in their respective categories.
Set One (Bama: 25-23: UTSA)
The first two sets had a recurring theme of service errors from both sides, but mainly from the Crimson Tide. In the first set alone, Alabama recorded 10 service errors, gifting the Roadrunners 10 of their 23 points. With both teams struggling to serve, the match went back and forth, as momentum was never able to be established by either team. Alabama eventually would go on to win the set by two. Krueger and Coppedge led the charge for UTSA in the first set as the two combined to total six kills.
Set Two (Bama: 27-25: UTSA)
The second set was more of the same for the Alabama when it came to errors on serves. The Crimson Tide recorded seven more service errors and UTSA took advantage. The Roadrunners were able to keep things even tighter than set one and even had the Crimson Tide at set point, 24-23. However, again the Crimson Tide settled in and firmed up at the end of the set, rallying to go up two sets, 27-25.
Set Three (Bama: 25-20: UTSA)
Alabama looked to carry its late set two momentum into the third set and succeeded in doing so, as the Crimson Tide were able to jump out to an early 11-4 advantage over the Roadrunners. UTSA however buckled down and had a rally of their own, coming all the way back within two at 20-18. UTSA's set three rally would fall just short in the end though as Alabama held off the Roadrunners to win the set and the match.
Up Next
The Roadrunners will be back at Foster Auditorium tomorrow, August 27, as they take on McNeese State in their third and final match of the Crimson Tide Invitational. Tomorrow's match against the Cowgirls will begin at 11 a.m. and will not be streamed but can be followed online at GoUTSA.com/VBstats.
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