SAN ANTONIO – UTSA's volleyball team went 2-0 in its first home appearance of the 2022 season, downing both McNeese State (3-2) and USF (3-0) in Friday's action of the UTSA Invitational presented by Courtyard Marriott.
The Roadrunners (3-5) started their home-opening day by winning a five-set thriller over McNeese State (1-8). UTSA has now downed the Cowgirls twice this season, having previously done so at the Crimson Tide Invitational. In the nightcap of the tournament's opening day, UTSA swept the South Florida Bulls (4-4).
After two wins on Friday UTSA will square off with fellow Texas school UT Arlington (4-4) tomorrow, Sept. 10, at 2 p.m. Tomorrow's match effectively serves as the tournament championship as both UTSA and UT Arlington had a flawless Friday.
Game One (UTSA: 3-2: McNeese State)
UTSA gave its fans a show in the 2022 home-opener. The Roadrunners and McNeese State went the distance, as the two teams needed five sets to settle things. UTSA got off to a powerful start, claiming the first two sets in order (25-18 & 25-23). The Cowgirls responded with two set wins of their own (25-20 & 25-23) to know things up at two sets apiece. In the fifth set, Cansu Günaydin took over as the transfer from Rutgers had seven kills to help put McNeese State away, 15-8.
Günaydin had a total of 19 kills on the day, her third double-digit kill performance of the season, and Katelyn Krienke poured in a team-high 20 kills to pace the Roadrunner attack. Amanda Ifeanyi and Kelsey Carpenter both also had double-digit kills on the day as they each tallied 11. Courtney Walters had 60 assists in the set, a career-high, along with a team-high two aces. Alicia Coppedge led the team with four block assists.
Set Two (UTSA: 3-0: USF)
The Roadrunners continued their early Friday momentum into the nightcap, sweeping the South Florida Bulls (25-17, 25-15, 25-23). The Roadrunners jumped out to an early lead in the first set and didn't look back as they were able to carry the momentum through three straight-set victories.
Carpenter again had a solid game, as the junior outside hitter recorded 13 kills and two aces, both team highs. Along with Carpenter, Krienke turned in her second double-digit kill performance of the day with 10. Coppedge repeated her solid performance on the front line as she again tallied four block assists.
Up Next
UTSA will return to the Convocation Center tomorrow, Sept. 10, to face UT Arlington in its third and final game of the UTSA Invitational presented by Courtyard Marriott. Tomorrow's match is set to begin at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on CUSA.tv.
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