SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA volleyball team returns to The Military City as they host Tulane in American Athletic Conference action inside the Convocation Center, first battling the Green Wave on Friday at 6 p.m. ahead of a 2 p.m. match on Saturday. Friday's contest represents the squad's Run as One event and will feature an 80s-themed Neon Night, while Saturday sees the program's annual Homecoming celebration.
The Roadrunners (9-11, 2-7 AAC) split against North Texas last time out, first falling to the Mean Green before bouncing back and winning a five-set thriller to snap a seven-match skid.
Junior Mekaila Aupiu shined in the Roadrunners victory, logging a double-double in her first start of the season to the tune of 28 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore Mia Soerensen led the team offensively on the week, posting 11 terminations before recording 14 in the second contest. She hit .231 and thwarted three of the opposition's attacks for 26.5 total points, while senior Aliah Giroux captained the defense, averaging 3.63 digs per set over eight frames.
The Green Wave (4-16, 0-8 AAC) are riding an 11-match losing streak, having suffered two defeats at the hands of Wichita State last week and are still searching for their first victory in conference play.
Despite the poor run of form, Tulane has several student-athletes ranking inside the top five on the conference leader board, including Avery Burks, who sits fourth in both total points and kills, launching 247 successful attacks across the season and averaging 3.38 kills per set.
Along with Burks, Savannah Perry has logged 30 service aces for the second-most in the AAC, while Lauryn Burros ranks second at 4.48 digs per set.
As a team, the Green Wave maintains the conference's second-highest blocking figure at 177, a stat heavily aided by Sabrina Skyers and Osrula Staka, who each average over a block per set. Additionally, the team has operated chiefly out of a 6-2 as Laura Flabane tops the squad with 374 assists, while Zoe Rachow has managed 272 on the year.
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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