SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA volleyball team is headed for North Carolina, with a 5 p.m. American Athletic Conference contest on the docket against East Carolina before meeting Charlotte at noon on Sunday.
The Roadrunners (6-9, 0-2 The American) will look to bounce back after suffering defeats against North Texas (22-25, 25-22, 25-25, 26-24) and Rice (25-17, 25-15, 25-14) to open league play last week.
Freshman Ally Tribe paced the team with 12 kills, and junior Mia Soerensen was not far behind with 11. Junior Annika Sokol and freshman Morgen Durgens split setting duties, as Sokol worked 36 assists and Durgens 14. Defensively, senior Alicia Coppedge recorded seven blocks, while classmate Aliah Giroux led the way with 25 digs.
The ‘Runners continue to lead The American with 2.41 blocks per set, and 132.5 total blocks check in at No. 33 on the NCAA leader board. Individually, Soerensen boasts 59 blocks to lead the AAC, and Giroux’s 229 digs sit second.
The Pirates (8-4, 1-1 The American) split on the road, first besting Florida Atlantic (15-25, 25-23, 25-11, 25-19) before falling to South Florida (25-21, 25-23, 25-20).
ECU has been one of the league’s top defensive teams, holding opponents to a .168 hitting percentage. Fran McBride has been sensational for the Pirates, leading the team with 36.0 blocks and 101 kills. Lara Uyar has scooped 153 digs this year, and Payton Evenstad has worked 218 assists. Additionally, Angeles Aldrete has excelled for the squad, launching 99 successful attacks with 15 service aces and 130 digs.
The 49ers (3-12, 0-2 The American) are still searching for their first conference win after dropping contests to FAU (25-19, 25-14, 25-16) and USF (25-19, 25-18, 25-16).
Ninety-seven service aces for Charlotte are 33rd nationally, and 128.0 total blocks sit second in the AAC only to UTSA. Kristen Birmingham has been the team leader in kills with 180 and digs with 129. Meanwhile, Lara Kretschmer has logged 57.0 blocks, and Selanny Puente 22 aces. Operating out of a 6-2, Maddie Stuesser has dished out 227 assists and Lauren Nixon 225.
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