TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – UTSA and new head coach Carol Price-Torok notched their first victory of the 2022 campaign Saturday afternoon, as UTSA defeated McNeese State in four sets, 3-1, to conclude its trip to the Crimson Tide Invitational.
The Roadrunners (1-2) won their third and final game of the Crimson Tide Invitational, as they defeated the McNeese State Cowgirls 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 25-20).
Alicia Coppedge had quite the match for UTSA, as the junior middle blocker recorded 15 kills to lead all players. Coppedge also recorded a solid attacking percentage of .538 while assisting on two blocks and notching one solo block.
Cansu Günaydin and Katelyn Krienke each pitched in nine kills apiece while Amanda Ifeanyi had eight. Krienke recorded an attacking percentage of .409 and assisted on three blocks. Courtney Walters set the table for the Roadrunners as she tallied 27 assists on the day to pair with 10 digs.
The Crimson Tide Invitational began yesterday, August 26, as the Roadrunners opened the tournament with losses to both Southern Miss and tournament host Alabama.
Set One (UTSA: 25-23: McNeese)
The first set was a tale of two halves, as McNeese State controlled the momentum for the first half of the set. The Cowgirls led by as many as four early in the set. UTSA responded with runs of their own and eventually the Roadrunners retook the lead and then some, going up on MSU 19-15 in the second half of the set. UTSA was able to hold off MSU and take set one. The Roadrunners had 14 kills in the set and had an attacking percentage of .256.
Set Two (UTSA: 21-25: McNeese)
McNeese State evened the score at one set apiece as it was able to win the second set by four. Both squads played the beginning of the set tight as neither side was able to wrangle away momentum and gain a solid lead. The Cowgirls held strong though and eventually pulled away from the Roadrunners late. Günaydin led the team with five kills in the second set, but it wasn't enough as the Cowgirls had an attacking percentage of .344 in the set.
Set Three (UTSA: 25-22: McNeese)
UTSA started the third set hot, taking an early six-point lead at the halfway point of the set, 14-8. McNeese State rallied back and brought the set to a tie at 21 all. UTSA would then go on a 4-1 run and win the set, thanks to a McNeese State service error on the 25th point. Coppedge paced UTSA in the third set as she totaled four kills on an .800 average, and she led the squad with four points in the set. The Cowgirls recorded eight attacking errors on the set, contributing to the UTSA win.
Set Four (UTSA: 25-20: McNeese)
Being up 2-1, UTSA looked to end things in the fourth set. The Roadrunners got off to a strong start as a small early set lead would blossom into a six-point lead late, as they were up 21-14. The Cowgirls didn't fold however as MSU would go on to rally, rattling off a 6-0 run and bringing the fame within one, 21-20. Coach Price-Torok calmed the team, taking a timeout, and UTSA came back out and rattled off four points in a row to take the set and the match as Coach Price-Torok earned her first win as the head coach of UTSA.
Up Next
The Roadrunners will return to action next weekend when they travel to Lafayette, La. To participate in the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Classic (Sept. 2-3). UTSA will start tournament action next Friday when it faces off with UTRGV at noon
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