BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Despite sophomore Mia Soerensen logging a career-high 22 kills, the UTSA volleyball team fell 25-22, 23-25. 25-21, 25-21 to host school Campbell as a part of the Campbell Invitational on Friday inside of Gore Arena.
Following a three-set victory over Georgia Southern, the Roadrunners (5-3, 0-0 AAC) were bested by the Camels (3-6, 0-0 CAA), splitting on the opening day of the tournament.
Sorensen's career-best allowed her to lead the match in terminations, while senior Aliah Giroux recorded a match-high herself with 32 digs, the most she's accomplished since a September 2021 five-setter against Alabama. Additionally, senior Mekaila Aupiu posted 32 assists, while classmate Alicia Coppedge boasted a club-high five blocks.
UTSA jumped out to a 7-4 lead early in the first set, using kills by senior Cansu Günaydin and junior Faye Wilbricht, as well as a sophomore Katelyn Krienke / freshman Makenna Wiepert block. The Camels raced back, knotting the contest at 13, before taking a slim 15-13 advantage. The Roadrunners used a timeout before a three-point swing featuring a Wiepert kill and an ace for Krienke put UTSA back in front. Shortly after, back-to-back kills for Soerensen saw a 19-16 Roadrunner lead, but Campbell responded, working a 20-20 tie. A Camel miscue and an ace for Wilbricht resulted in a two-score edge for the 'Runners, inducing a Campbell timeout. The Camels came out of the break firing, scoring the final five points in the set and earning a 25-22 win.
Campbell took an early lead in the second stanza and kept the 'Runners at arms-length until a four-point surge and a pair of Aupiu kills knotted the contest at 15. The deadlock was broken with terminations for Wilbricht and Soerensen helping UTSA snag a 23-19 edge. The Camels cut their deficit to one, but another batch of kills for Wilbricht and Soerensen capped off a 25-23 set win and knotted the contest at a set apiece.
The Camels again were off to a solid start, growing a 12-7 lead to open the third. UTSA slowly whittled away their advantage before back-to-back Soerensen kills and a Campbell miscue tied the set at 19. The Camels, however, persevered, claiming six of the last seven rallies for a 25-21 victory.
Each squad traded blows with an Aupiu kill keeping the fourth set locked at 11. The battle raged on until Campbell broke a 16-16 tie with a three-score spurt that forced a Roadrunner timeout. A Soerensen kill shortly after kept the 'Runners in the fight, seeing a 20-19 score line still favoring Campbell. The opposition later prevailed, taking a 25-21 set win as well as the match.
The 'Runners will look to bounce back on Saturday as they face San Jose State inside Gore Arena at 10 a.m. CT to wrap up the Campbell Invitational.
Keep up with UTSA Volleyball all season long on goutsa.com, and by following the program on Facebook at /UTSAVBall, X (Twitter) @UTSAVolleyball, and on Instagram @utsa_vb.
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