HOUSTON – UTSA dropped just its second conference-opening game in the last ten years as it fell at No. 23 Rice in three straight sets.
UTSA (5-8, 0-1) quickly found itself in a hole as No. 23 Rice (11-1, 1-0) jumped out to a fourteen-point lead in the first set and never looked back. The Owls' defense proved as good as advertised as the Owls held UTSA to a .059 hitting percentage.
UTSA outside hitter Kelsey Carpenter led the Roadrunners with six kills and 6.5 points while both setters, Courtney Walters and Mekaila Aupiu, totaled nine assists.
First Set (Rice: 25-19: UTSA)
No. 23 Rice showed why they were a top 25 team early in the first set as the Owls flexed their muscles and jumped out to an early 20-6 lead. UTSA didn't back down however as the Roadrunners scrapped their way back into the first set, going on runs of four and seven to get back within five points, 18-23. Rice called its final timeout when it got to that point and would close the game out 2-1 to claim the first set. At the end of the first set, a trio of Roadrunners had two kills, however, Rice held UTSA to just a .091 hitting percentage in the set.
Second Set (Rice: 25-15: UTSA)
The Owls began the second set in a similar way to the first as the 23rd ranked team in the nation jumped out to another early lead, finding itself up eight, 11-3. The Owls would go on to grow the lead to as large as 11, ultimately winning the set and going up 2-0 on the Roadrunners. Carpenter and freshman Katelyn Krienke each had three kills in the second set, a set high for any Roadrunner across the three sets.
Third Set (Rice: 25-12: UTSA)
Rice used two 5-0 runs and a 7-0 run in the third set to create space and down the Roadrunners in set three, sweeping UTSA and winning the match. Rice's defense clamped down in the final stanza as the Owls allowed just three Roadrunner kills and forced UTSA to a negative hitting percentage (-.160) in the set.
Up Next
Following its conference-opener on the road, UTSA will return to the Convocation Center for a two-game homestand against conference opponents. The Roadrunners' next match is against Florida Atlantic next Friday, Sept. 30. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on CUSA.tv.
- UTSA -
