Tulsa Prevails in Five Sets Over UTSA for American Conference-Opening Win

Friday, September 26

San Antonio, Texas

6:00 p.m.

Tulsa

11-2,1-0American

UTSA

7-5,0-1American

Tulsa

UTSA

Tulsa Prevails in Five Sets Over UTSA for American Conference-Opening Win

9/26/2025 9:24:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas. — Tulsa (11-2, 1-0) emerged victorious in a tense five-set match against UTSA (7-5, 0-1) Friday night to open American Conference action. Tulsa claimed the win with scores of 27-25, 25-11, 21-25, 29-31, and 15-7. The match featured a standout performance from Tulsa's attack, which recorded a total of 65 kills, supported by 11 service aces. This victory also marked Tulsa's 11th consecutive win this season and its fifth straight win in conference openers.

"Definitely a lot of ups and downs tonight," said Olivia Vance, who led TU with 18 kills on the night. "Being able to lean on my teammates and coaches helped me play through that. I know I didn't have the best third and fourth sets, but my teammates and I never stopped believing in each other, and that makes me so proud to be a part of this team."

The opening set between Tulsa and UTSA was competitive, with multiple lead changes and momentum swings. UTSA initially pulled ahead with a 2-0 advantage, thanks to two early kills by Taylor Gaines. Tulsa responded with a series of successful plays, including a service ace by Lauren Patterson, to build a 9-4 lead. Patterson's impressive serving performance included a career-high six aces throughout the match. UTSA then mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 19-17 with a service ace by Megan Hawkins. Tulsa's Olivia Vance contributed crucial points, including a kill to tie the set at 21-21. Vance, who recorded 18 kills in the match, led the Golden Hurricane in kills for the fifth time this season. In a tense finish, Maegan Mills secured the set for Tulsa with a kill from Brittany Bacorn, closing it at 27-25. Bacorn also supported the offense with 19 assists and added 13 digs on defense, achieving her second double-double of the season.

Tulsa began the second set with a dominant 5-0 run, highlighted by Jill Hanson's kill and two service aces from Patterson. Hanson's performance was notable as she achieved her first career double-double with 11 kills and 10 blocks. UTSA managed to momentarily break Tulsa's momentum with a kill by Gigi Mason at 5-1, but Tulsa quickly regained control, extending their lead to 10-1, aided by a block from Vance and Hanson. UTSA struggled with errors throughout the set, while Tulsa capitalized with kills from multiple players, including Mills and Kat Cooper. Despite a few successful plays from UTSA, Tulsa maintained their stronghold and sealed the set at 25-11 following a service error by the home team, showcasing their effective offense and UTSA's inability to counter effectively.

The third set saw a back-and-forth battle between the teams, with the score tied at multiple junctures. Vance and Hanson each contributed key points, with Vance securing three kills and Hanson adding two more. UTSA, however, capitalized on Tulsa's errors and launched a late surge. Ally Tribe led the charge for the home side with three consecutive kills in the final stretch, helping the team pull away. The set concluded with a decisive block from Caroline Tredwell and Tribe, sealing UTSA's 25-21 victory.

In a tightly contested fourth set, UTSA emerged victorious over the Golden Hurricane with a 31-29 win. Tulsa initially gained momentum with a 7-3 lead, bolstered by an attack error from Miranda Putnicki and a kill from Vance. UTSA rallied back, powered by Taylor Gaines' consecutive kills and a service ace by Tredwell to tie the score at 14-14. The teams exchanged points to a deadlock at 29-29, but UTSA capitalized with a kill from Tribe and another by Tredwell, concluding the set and match.

Tulsa secured a decisive victory in the fifth set against UTSA, prevailing 15-7. The Golden Hurricane quickly established control with a 5-1 run, highlighted by two consecutive kills from Cooper and a service ace by Patterson. Vance contributed significantly, tallying multiple kills and forming a solid blocking partnership with Hanson, which helped extend Tulsa's lead to 11-6. Gaines of UTSA struggled with attack errors, twice being blocked by Vance and Hanson, allowing Tulsa to close out the set with confidence. Brayden Hipp also played a crucial role, achieving her third double-double of the season and 25th of her career with 32 assists and 19 digs.

In their next game, Tulsa will travel to Houston to face Rice on Sunday, Sept. 28. The match is set to begin at 2 p.m.

Tulsa's Top Performers
Brayden Hipp
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- 32 assists
- 19 digs
- one service ace

Lauren Patterson
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- six service aces
- 24 digs
- five assists

Olivia Vance
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- 18 kills
- seven blocks
- 21.5 points

Jill Hanson
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- 11 kills
- 10 blocks
- 18.0 points

UTSA's Top Performers
Gigi Mason
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- 18 kills
- 0.417 hitting percentage
- 1 service ace

Caroline Tredwell
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- 11 kills
- 2 service aces
- 4 total blocks

Ally Tribe
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- 11 kills
- 21 digs
- 1 total block

Megan Hawkins
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- 26 assists
- 14 digs
- 1 service ace

Brooke Elliott
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- 5 total blocks
- 8.0 points

Game Notes
- Tulsa is now 15-18 all-time in conference openers, 8-4 in opening matches of American Conference play, including wins in the last five conference openers.
- Hipp had her third double-double of the season and 25th of her career with 32 assists, 19 digs.
- Hanson enjoyed her first career double-double with 11 kills and 10 blocks.
- Vance (18 kills) recorded her sixth double-figure kill match this year, leading the Golden Hurricane in kills for a fifth time.
- Bacorn supported the offense with 19 assists and added 13 digs on defense for her second double-double this season and sixth of her career.
- Patterson served a strong match with a career-high six aces.
- Patterson also had 24 digs at a rate of six per set.

2025 TICKETS
Single-game tickets are now on sale for $13 per ticket per match for ages 4 and older and can be purchased in advance at TulsaHurricane.com or at the entrance. Season tickets also start at just $50. Season ticket members will receive 1 (one) membership card per ticket that they order that will be good for all 2025 TU Volleyball regular-season home matches in the Donald W. Reynolds Center. No refunds for canceled games due to weather-related or any other cause. CLICK HERE to start the process of ordering tickets or call 918-631-4688.

Ball Kid Signups
The Tulsa Volleyball team is looking for ball kids for the 2025 season. Ball kids and one accompanying parent or guardian will receive free admission for games they sign up for. Ball kids will retrieve balls that go out of bounds on the sidelines for the entire game and provide a fresh ball for servers. Only ages 10-12 are allowed to participate. Individual and group signups will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up by clicking HERE.

Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the volleyball program. Fans can also follow the team on X, Facebook and Instagram.