Press Release courtesy of UTSA Athletics.
UTSA volleyball (3-10, 1-0 C-USA), who checked in at No.3 in the Conference USA standings this week, will look to keep its momentum going against North Texas and UTEP this weekend. UTSA went 1-1 last week, falling to then-No.6 Texas on Tuesday for its last nonconference matchup before rebounding with a 3-1 win against Southern Miss on Sunday in Hattiesburg.
After opening conference play with a victory for the fifth consecutive season, UTSA will make its way to North Texas for a 7 p.m. match on Friday at the North Texas Volleyball Center. The Roadrunners will close out the weekend back in the Convocation Center as they host UTEP in a noon matchup on Sunday. Fans can stream both matches live with a paid subscription to C-USA TV.
Last week, UTSA put up impressive numbers in the Roadrunners’ 3-1 victory over Southern Miss. Senior Marijeta Runjic had a match-high 24 kills to claim her second 20-plus kill performance this season. Joining Runjic in double figures with 22 winners was Brianna McCulloch. The sophomore also added a team-best 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.
Overall, McCulloch has recorded 218 kills (3.82 per set) and currently ranks fourth on Conference USA’s kills list for the season. Runjic joins her on the list to rank sixth in conference with 195 kills (3.48 per set).
Defensively, the Roadrunners are paced by Emily Ramirez with 167 digs (3.48 per set) and McCulloch with 131 (2.47 per set). Stopping UTSA opponent’s offense is Kara Teal and Runjic. Teal has notched 37 total blocks, six of which are solo blocks, while Runjic has tallied 31 total blocks, including two solo blocks.
Scouting North Texas
Series: The Roadrunners currently lead the all-time series, 16-8. UTSA last defeated the Mean Green in a 3-2 match at the Convocation Center last season. In the conference meeting, three Roadrunners reached double figures with Runic pacing the team with a match-high 22 kills.
Mean Green Notables: UNT is coming off a 3-0 sweep against Oklahoma on Wednesday night. The midweek matchup saw senior middle back Holly Milam deliver 12 kills, seven digs and a pair of block assists, to become the first person in school history to accumulate 900 kills, 600 digs and 250 blocks. Overall, North Texas is 13-2 on the season, including an 8-1 mark at home and a 1-1 record in C-USA. UNT is hitting .294 as a team and has five players hitting above .300. Leading the group is Aman Chamberlain with a .495 attack percentage and 161 kills this year. The Mean Green also has four athletes with over 100 digs this season, including Henrianna Ibarra with a team-best 138.
Scouting UTEP (4-11, 1-1 C-USA)
Series: Sunday’s match will mark the 37th meeting between the Roadrunners and Miners. UTEP holds the all-time series at 21-17, but UTSA has claimed the last seven meetings between the two teams. Last season, the Runners defeated UTEP, 3-1, in El Paso. The match saw Antonela Jularic post 14 kills while Runjic added 10.
Miner Notables: UTEP opened conference play by splitting its matches, first getting a five-set win Fridaynight against Rice, then dropping in four sets to UAB on Sunday. Leading the Miners is Macey Austin, who registered 43 kills in UTEP’s last three games. Overall, the Keller, Texas, native directs the team with 179 kills on the season to rank 10th Conference USA. Defensively, UTEP is guided by Kylie Baumgartner, who has recorded 10 solo blocks and 35 block assists
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