The Roadrunners broke a nearly four-year home losing streak to the Texas State Bobcats, sweeping them in three matches Friday, Sept. 21, at the Convocation Center. With their win, the Runners extended their match-winning streak to three.

“[The victory] felt great. I was glad we played well…It was Texas State at home,” Head Coach Neugebauer-Groff said. 

“It does feel good to beat Texas State,” junior outside hitter McKenzie Adams agreed.

The last time UTSA played Texas State, the Bobcats beat the Roadrunners in last year’s Southland Conference championship game three matches to one. 

“We had a bitter taste in our mouths at the end of last year,” noted sophomore middle and outside hitter Dempsey Thornton. “But we’re excited to come out and perform well,” 

The Bobcats had problems stopping Thornton, as she tallied a match high .500 hitting percentage. “We all played really well. We started with great serving and great blocking,” Thornton said.

On Friday, the outcome was in UTSA’s favor. The Runners exacted a very skillful and well thought-out strategy and swept their I-35 rivals (25 – 13, 25 – 15, 25-18).

“It’s always a revenge factor. It’s Texas State,” coach Neugebauer-Groff said.

The Roadrunners’ strategy centered on their defensive efforts.

Freshman libero Annie Kunes recorded a match best 16 digs, and freshman middle hitter Kylie Schott also had a great defensive game with seven blocks, four of them solo stuffs.

Not to be outshined, the upper classmen also played very well on the defensive side.  Junior Brandy Huskey completed her 10th double-double of the season, her  fourth straight double-double, as she handed out 30 assists and made 11 stops.

UTSA trailed only once in the match and held Texas State to a match low of .045 hitting percent and forced the Bobcats to commit 25 attack errors.

Adams exposed the Texas State defense, recording 13 kills and a .323 hitting percentage. Along with her excellent performance against Houston Baptist (17 kills and 16 digs), Adams was awarded her second Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week award.

“I focus on everything with my performance,” said Adams “The last time we played them, I came into the game with a lot of jitters, but this time, I came in relaxed and focused on my game.”

Texas State had one bright moment in the match. Senior setter Caleigh McCorquodale had 15 assists with nine digs.

The Bobcats could not find a cohesive group to play with during the match. Head coach Karen Chisan tried multiple line-ups, giving 13 different players an opportunity to play.

“We’ve just got to get better, and there are too many errors on our side of the net,” Chisam said.

Defensively, Texas State had only two team blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Alexandra Simms led the Bobcats offense with nine kills, and McCorquodale had 15 assists and nine digs.

UTSA will hit the road for the next two games, playing in Seattle on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m., then traveling to face Idaho on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The Roadrunners play Louisiana Tech at home on Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Convocation Center at 6:30 p.m.