The UTSA volleyball team played two-time defending national champion Texas and NCAA tournament teams Baylor and Texas State during its spring season.

The squad traveled to Europe for 10 days in May and June, playing matches and taking in the cultures and cuisines of Italy, Hungary and Slovenia.

Over the last month, the Roadrunners competed in four tournaments, including two that they hosted. Through the ups and downs, they understood there was a reason for it all.

The purpose begins when UTSA (6-7) takes on North Texas in both teams’ American Athletic Conference opener at 6 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center.

“I say everything we’ve been working for, in the summer to now, it’s all been an experience to get to this point,” said UTSA sophomore setter Annika Sokol, who transferred from Central Florida. “Conference is another beast. Every team is out for blood. Our goal is winning the conference tournament, so we have to come out swinging.”

North Texas (3-8) represents the first bout. And while their record might suggest otherwise, the Mean Green are formidable. Half of North Texas’ losses were vs. No. 15 Florida, No. 25 Miami, UNLV and Colorado in non-conference.

“They arguably played one of the toughest pre-conference schedules in the American, and they’re battle-tested,” UTSA coach Carol Torok said. “Maybe they don’t have the wins to prove it, but they’ve played some great volleyball.”

UTSA has also had its bright moments. The Roadrunners registered a combined 4-2 record in back-to-back home tournaments, with the setbacks coming in five-set matches to Incarnate Word and Alabama.

“I think it’s kind of important to look at the bigger picture rather than just be in the moment,” UTSA senior libero Aliah Giroux said. “At the end of the day, losses suck and whatnot, but at the end of the day we’re all still growing together and I think every time we step foot on the court we’re learning more and more about each other.”

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