UTSA volleyball coach Carol Price-Torok has talked about trusting a process and for players being willing to rise to the occasion in a match’s key moments. She did so during the ups and downs of a season, such as when an eight-match winning streak turned into a six-match losing streak.

The message continued through injuries and a breakneck conference schedule that saw her team, during one particular weekend, play at home on a Friday night, hop on a plane Saturday morning for a flight to the East Coast, then play a match at noon on that Sunday. At the time, there probably didn’t seem like a rhyme or reason for what was going on. But now? With two matches remaining in the regular season? With an American Conference tournament berth still within reach?

“We know that we’re not completely out of this, but we want to just make sure that we’re putting our best foot forward, and we’re playing the best volleyball that’s going to put us in the best position to win,” said UTSA outside hitter Brooke Elliott, a graduate student. “Yes, it’s (about) wins and losses, but at the same time, ‘Are we doing what we can do at the best of our abilities?’ “

The Roadrunners (13-12, 4-10) are two games out from the final spot in the conference tournament with two matches left. They embark on a pivotal closing stretch when they face North Texas (13-12, 6-8) at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Denton before hosting Memphis (10-15, 5-9) at 1 p.m. Sunday on Senior Day at the Convocation Center. Elliott, defensive specialist Bailey Lechler and middle blocker Miranda Putnicki will be recognized. Putnicki medically retired before the season after suffering a knee injury.

UTSA is in a logjam of five teams battling to nab the final bid to the postseason tournament. North Texas is currently sitting in the spot, followed by Alabama-Birmingham (11-15, 5-9), Memphis and Wichita State (7-19, 4-10). Things should clear up through attrition as some of the aforementioned squads have head-to-head encounters to conclude the final week of play. Florida Atlantic (18-7, 11-3), Rice (16-10, 10-4), Tulane (18-6, 10-4), Tulsa (18-7, 10-4), Temple (17-9, 9-5) and East Carolina (16-10, 9-5) have already locked up berths to the American tournament on Nov. 20-22 at Rice University in Houston. South Florida (8-16, 7-7) needs a win for a spot.

The Roadrunners topped Wichita State in four sets on Sunday, only two days after a tough five-set setback vs. Rice, to keep alive their postseason aspirations. Outside hitter Gigi Mason, who had been sidelined for nearly two months with an ankle injury, returned last weekend and finished with 28 kills. Outside hitter Sydney Bryant added 21 kills and 5 1/2 blocks, middle blocker Caroline Tredwell produced 15 kills and 4 1/2 blocks, outside hitter Isabella Arroyave totaled 24 kills and 25 digs, libero Alyssa Manitzas chipped in 42 digs, setter Valeria Ortiz had 55 assists and 21 digs, and middle hitter Ledisi Kpea tallied eight blocks.

“I think that’s always my mentality — try not to dwell on things that could happen or didn’t happen,” Torok said. “All we can do right now is be where our feet are. I think we’re definitely playing good volleyball right now, and excited to head into the week. Our players know that they can do it, they know that they are in a position (of where) they can win.”

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