There were times this past fall when UTSA volleyball player Kai Bailey admits her confidence wavered.
The adjustment from being a top player in high school to getting limited playing time during her first season in college was a slap-in-the-face reality.
“I did have a lot of those moments when I wasn’t playing,” Bailey said. “Everybody thinks they deserve to be on the court, so during those moments I really had to keep my composure and realize the people on the court are going to help us win. At this level, it’s a different perspective.”
This offseason has given Bailey a better understanding of that viewpoint. The spring, in a nutshell, is often about renewal and growth and Bailey, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, is trying to capitalize on the theory. She took another step in that regard during the Roadrunners’ final home competition of the offseason.
UTSA topped Texas State 25-21, 24-26, 25-22, 25-17, 14-16 on Friday in a scrimmage at the Convocation Center. The match was pre-determined to go five sets no matter the outcome.
The Roadrunners lost 3-2 to two-time reigning national champion Texas in their other match this spring on March 4.
“When you’re in the spring, because you’re just playing yourself, you kind of don’t realize how good you’re getting because you don’t see anyone else,” UTSA junior Cheyenne Hlady said. “Actually playing another team — and excelling — is a big confidence boost that everything is falling into place.”
Against Texas State, which advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2023, UTSA received a glimpse of what next season could have in store.
The Roadrunners displayed a balanced attack paced by Bailey, who unofficially had a match-high 12 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Mia Soerensen added 10 kills, senior middle blocker Alicia Coppedge netted nine, junior outside hitter and Holy Cross graduate Faye Wilbricht had eight and Hlady and sophomore outside hitter Caroline Krueger chipped in six apiece. Freshman setter Makenna Wiepert had four aces.
“Texas was such a good match and, honestly, it was like a turning point,” said Bailey who added four blocks. “We realized we really had potential. Some people will go into it knowing they’re going to lose (Texas). We had a different mentality that game. We tried to focus on our jobs and not our mistakes.”
UTSA displayed many flaws outside of how it closed the second and fifth sets. In the final stanza, Texas State reeled off seven straight points to overcome a 14-9 deficit and five set points, highlighted by two aces from former Brandeis standout Carlee Pharris.
In the second frame, battled back from a 23-19 deficit and erased three set points to tie it at 24. But back-to-back kills from Brooke Bentke and Samantha Wunsch gave the Bobcats the win.
Texas State was led by outside hitter Maggie Walsh, who had a team-best 11 kills. Wunsch added 10 and Bentke, Zenai Jethroe and Bailey Hanner each contributed six apiece.
“The lineup (of opponents) that we have for the spring is really awesome,” Hlady said. “I’m really glad we’re playing these big teams and I think it’ll help us going into preseason with confidence and knowing we’re balling with teams going into the tournament, competing in the tournament, winning the national championship. It’s really good for our program.”
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