SAN MARCOS, Texas – Abilene Christian volleyball and its fans experienced quite an emotional swing late in the team's 3-1 loss to UTSA Friday afternoon at Texas State's Strahan Arena.
After watching the Wildcats rally to win the third set, 25-21, thanks to an 8-4 run, the Roadrunners hit back hard with a 7-0 outburst to begin set four. Kirby Smith (11K, 17.5 points) started proceedings with a kill and then took over at the service line for six consecutive points while dealing a pair of aces. Smith finished the match with six of her team's 11 aces.
ACU climbed back into the set, getting as close as two points at 23-21 on a block from sophomore
Lorin McNeil (4BA, 9.0 points) and
Lindsey Toney (6K, 8.0 points) but Brianna McCulloch (15K, 16.0 points) sealed the set and match (25-21) with consecutive kills from setter Amanda Gonzales (29 assists).
The Wildcats hit a respectable .227 with
Jacey Smith (14K, three aces) and
Marybeth Sandercox (10K, .391) combining for 28.0 of their team's 62 points; however, the Roadrunner defense proved too tough as it dug out 63 of ACU's 132 total attacks. By comparison, UTSA hit .248 with 59 kills (24 errors) on 141 attempts and had its best offensive showing in the final set (17K, .433).
The Roadrunners won sets one and two by scores of 25-16 and 25-20. ACU was outscored 18-9 down the stretch in the first set, and fell victim to a 10-5 UTSA run at the close of the second.
The Wildcats are back in action twice Saturday with morning and evening matches vs. James Madison (10 a.m.) and Texas State (6:30 p.m.).
