HOUSTON – On Saturday, UTSA Volleyball took on Texas State in both sides’ final action at the 2026 Flo Hyman Classic from Fertitta Center. The Roadrunners stormed back to take the neutral rivalry bout in five sets (15-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-12, 15-8). With the victory, the Navy & Orange secured their eighth straight, improving to 9-2 on the season while taking the Battle for I-35 for the first time since 2017.
FIRST SET
In a blink, four UTSA errors pushed TXST ahead 12-3 and built a lead that was never relinquished. A block and two kills from Ally Tribe cut the deficit to three, but the ‘Runners never pulled any closer. A set marred by eight attack errors and two missed serves saw the visitors hit -.071 and fall by a final margin of 25-15.
SECOND SET
Isabella Arroyave picked up four straight points for her squad as the two sides exchanged eight ties before reaching 12-12. A trio of errors left the Bobcats up 17-14 before three different Roadrunners’ kills set up Makinsey Jones with a solo rejection. The UTSA 5-0 run forced both timeouts from Sean Huiet as the Navy & Orange pulled ahead 21-19. In total, six kills from Caroline Tredwell and Ledisi Kpea helped secure a match-tying set by a 25-23 mark.
THIRD SET
A 5-1 run that included an ace helped the Bobcats pull ahead by four early on. An ensuing 6-1 push from UTSA saw Valeria Ortiz and Alyssa Manitzas find the floor from the service line to take a one-point edge into the media stoppage. The two sides exchanged nine straight kills, but seven went to Texas State, forcing a Carol Price-Torok timeout down 23-19. A Sydney Bryant ace was not enough to answer as the ‘Runners fell 25-21.
FOURTH SET
Manitzas landed UTSA’s second ace of the frame to cap a 6-0 run that pushed the lead to 10-5. An ensuing 10-1 burst saw three kills and a block from Ally Tribe while Kpea poured in two blocks and a kill of her own. Arroyave notched the final two terminations as the ‘Runners mashed .370 collectively, crushing their I-35 rivals 25-12, setting up decisive fifth set.
FIFTH SET
While Tribe and Tredwell each posted two kills in the early stages, UTSA split the first 14 rallies of the final stanza. Hawkins headed back to serve for what proved to be a crucial 7-0 run, adding an ace while Kpea’s solo block and kill helped her side pull ahead 13-7. Eventually, Sydney Bryant sealed the deal with a kill at 15-8.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- UTSA’s eight-match winning streak is its longest since taking nine straight in 2016.
- The Roadrunners took down their I-35 rivals for the first time since another five-set thriller on Sept. 16, 2017.
- Isabella Arroyave secured her second double-double in three days with 12 kills and 10 digs against the Bobcats.
- Redshirt junior Alyssa Manitzas led both sides with 19 digs on Friday, crushing her previous career high of 15, which she set a day prior at Houston.
- For the second straight day, the libero tallied two aces in a victory.
- Manitzas was joined by Megan Hawkins with a pair of perfect serves on Saturday.
- Hawkins’ 25 assists not only led the team, but also secured a new individual season high.
- For the first time in 2026, Ally Tribe led UTSA in kills, notching an individual season high of 13 in the win.
- Ledisi Kpea set a season high and matched a career best with eight blocks in the victory.
UP NEXT
Next week, UTSA heads back home to open its fourth season of American Conference play. The Roadrunners host a pair of matches, welcoming Tulane (Sept. 25) and Florida Atlantic (Sept. 27). Carol Price-Torok looks to guide her program to its first nine-match winning streak since 2016 and remain perfect in the Alamo City. All the action from the Convocation Center will be streamed live on ESPN+ and available to follow live via utsa.statbroadcast.com.
For complete coverage of UTSA Volleyball during the 2026 season, visit goutsa.com. On social media, follow the Roadrunners on Twitter/X (@UTSAvolleyball), Instagram (utsa_vb) and Facebook (UTSA Volleyball).
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