The Roadrunners (17-8, 10-5 WAC), who currently are tied for third in the league standings, have won their last four matches, including the last three by sweeps.
UTSA swept both UT Arlington and Louisiana Tech on the road last week and junior McKenzie Adams earned WAC Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week and fourth time overall this season. The Schertz native averaged 5.33 kills and 3.83 digs, while hitting at a .310 clip in the two victories.
Adams ranks second in the circuit with 4.77 points and 4.26 kills per panel and also stands fifth with 3.75 digs. Meanwhile, freshman Annie Kunes leads the conference with 4.86 digs per stanza and junior Brandy Huskey ranks second with 10.66 assists per set.
The Roadrunners rank fourth nationally with 18.66 digs per set and also lead the WAC with 14.35 kills and 13.18 assists per panel.
The Pioneers (15-11, 8-7 WAC) are sixth in the conference standings but just two matches behind the Birds. Denver, which has won seven of its last nine outings, split a pair of home matches last week. The Pioneers lost to league-leading Utah State in five sets before sweeping San Jose State two days later. Faimie Kingsley leads the WAC with 1.67 blocks per frame and a .377 hitting percentage.
The Aggies (18-8, 11-4 WAC) sit in second in the WAC and hold just a one-match lead over UTSA. New Mexico State has won five of its last six tilts, but it dropped a four-set decision to Utah State last Saturday. Preseason WAC Player of the Year Meredith Hays ranks third in the league with 4.55 points and 4.03 kills per set.
Thursday's match marks UTSA's third all-time meeting with Denver. The Birds hold a 2-1 advantage, but the Pioneers netted a four-set victory on Oct. 13 in the Mile High City.
Meanwhile, Saturday's contest will be the fifth matchup between the Roadrunners and New Mexico State. The Aggies have won the previous four encounters, including a sweep on Oct. 11 in Las Cruces.
Prior to Saturday's match, UTSA will honor its three seniors — Allie Bettinger, Brittney Malloy and Whitney Walls.