DENTON, Texas – The UTSA volleyball team lost its Sunday afternoon match in Denton to North Texas 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 22-25).
UTSA (7-16, 2-9) lost its seventh straight match, falling to the Mean Green (12-13, 6-4) for the second time this season. UTSA and UNT's two matches were each decided by less than ten points (nine today, six points on 10/16).
Alicia Coppedge turned in another strong performance against the Mean Green, notching her third-highest kill total of the year with 12. Coppedge tallied her second-most kills in a match in the prior game against UNT with 13. Today was Coppedge's sixth double-digit kill performance of the year.
First Set (UTSA 25-23 UNT)
UTSA came out with a purpose in the first set of the day, as an early 9-5 lead forced a North Texas timeout. The Roadrunners continued to dominate the set, extending their lead to eight, going up 22-14. The Mean Green didn't fold, however, rattling off a 9-2 run to pull within one of the Roadrunners. Down one at 24-23, UNT tried to tie the set up, but a service error by UNT gave the Roadrunners the set victory, going up 1-0. Three different Roadrunners (Cansu Günaydin, Hunter Coppola, Katelyn Krienke and Coppedge) notched at least three kills in the set to pace the offense.
Second Set (UNT 25-23 UTSA)
The second set was truly back-and-forth as it featured 15 ties and seven lead changes as neither team claimed more than a two-point lead throughout. The two Texas-based Conference USA schools found themselves tied at 23 in the second and it was UNT who was able to come away with the set win. The Mean Green ripped off a 2-0 run to win 25-23. Coppola had four kills for the Roadrunners and three others had three to lead the offense.
Third Set (UNT 25-19 UTSA)
The Mean Green capitalized on its set two victory by carrying the momentum into the third stanza. UNT found itself with an early 6-1 lead, forcing a Roadrunner timeout. UTSA regrouped at the break and retook the court to rattle off a 10-4 run to take the lead at 11-10, forcing North Texas to call a timeout of its own. The two teams would trade points until finding themselves knotted at 17 apiece. From there, however, UNT went on an 8-2 run to put the set away and take a 2-1 lead in the match. The Roadrunners were held to their lowest hitting percentage of the day, hitting only .091.
Fourth Set (UNT 25-22 UTSA)
The fourth set was another tight one as both teams were tied at 15 halfway through the set. From there the Mean Green took a 20-17 lead and were able to keep the Roadrunners at arm's length from there, winning the set by three and claiming the match 3-1. Mekaila Aupiu (23) and Courtney Walters (22) led a balanced assist effort from UTSA. Walters also had a team-high three aces on the day. Ava Camacho (12) and Günaydin (10) both turned in double-digit dig performances.
Up Next
UTSA will be back in action this Friday, Nov. 4, when it plays its second-straight road match at UAB. First serve is set for 7 p.m. and the match will be streamed on CUSA.tv.
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