SAN ANTONIO – UTSA dropped its Friday night contest to Charlotte in five sets as the 49ers completed a reverse sweep of the Roadrunners (25-20, 25-22, 16-25, 19-25, 11-15).
UTSA (7-11, 2-4) dropped its second straight Conference USA match as Charlotte (8-10, 2-4), led by Emani' Foster, completed a reverse sweep. Foster, who holds the fourth most kills in the nation, tallied 28 tonight to lead all scorers.
UTSA now sits in a four-way tie for sixth place in the conference, sharing a 2-4 record with UAB, Charlotte and Louisiana Tech.
First Set (UTSA: 25-20: Charlotte)
UTSA started the match hot as they held momentum throughout the first set, leading by as many as seven. Freshman Katelyn Krienke had a set-high four kills as Cansu Günaydin and Alicia Coppedge each chipped in three kills to lead the Roadrunners offensively. Hunter Coppola and Ava Camacho both tallied five digs.
Second Set (UTSA: 25-22: Charlotte)
The Roadrunners were ultimately able to continue their first-set momentum, defeating Charlotte by three and taking a 2-0 lead in the match. Neither team was able to gain an edge early as they both traded leads and ties. After entering the media timeout up 15-14, UTSA was able to forge ahead on the other side, going on a 4-1 run to go up 19-15. A late Charlotte rally wasn't enough as UTSA was able to put the 49ers away. Both Günaydin and Krienke had five kills in the second set and Amanda Ifeanyi contributed four of her own. UTSA hit at a .452 clip in the second set, its match high.
Third Set (Charlotte: 25-16: UTSA)
Emani' Foster started to come alive in the third set, as she led the 49ers to a third-set victory. Foster had a set-high eight kills on 15 attempts and the 49er defense stepped up, holding UTSA to its lowest hitting percentage of the night, .071. Coppedge led the UTSA attack with three kills while Courtney Walters threw in eight assists.
Fourth Set (Charlotte: 25-19: UTSA)
The 49ers kept their momentum going into the fourth set, racing out to a 16-8 lead. The 49ers then held UTSA at bay, not allowing them to come within five points for the remainder of the set, tying the match up at two-all. Foster had another set-high eight kills for Charlotte, pacing the 49er attack. Kelsey Carpenter led all Roadrunners with three kills in the set.
Fifth Set (Charlotte: 15-11: UTSA)
UTSA regrouped for the fifth set and both teams traded blows before Charlotte ultimately came away with the set and match victory. What was a tie game at three apiece became an 8-5 Charlotte lead heading into the media timeout. That three-point cushion was all the 49ers needed as they outscored UTSA 7-6 from there on to close out the match. Günaydin led all Roadrunners with 12 kills in the match as both Krienke and Coppedge pouted in 10 apiece. Walters ended with 47 assists while Camacho (20) and Coppola (15) led the squad in digs.
Up Next
UTSA plays again on Sunday, Oct. 16, back at the Convo against North Texas. First serve is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be streamed on CUSA.tv. Fans that attend Sunday afternoon's match are encouraged to dress in pink as UTSA has partnered with the ZTA sorority to promote its Breast Cancer Awareness match.
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