Sept. 11, 2009

Box Score

 

Box Score

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Mo Middleton recorded 14 kills and 10 digs tonight to lift Texas State past Hofstra, 3-1. The Bobcats improve their record to 3-7, as they record their second straight win. Texas State will continue play in the CenturyTel Premier tomorrow, win they play Texas A&M at 2:00pm for the title.

"We talked about wanting to take the first set and we wanted to run a fast offense. We did that with the help of Shelbi Irvin," said head coach Karen Chisum. " She was a huge factor in tonight's game. She has quick feet and kept us at the high pace and intensity we needed to win the game."

Jessica Weynand was the only other Bobcat with double digit kills as she had nine, but five Bobcats registered five kills or more. Caleigh McCorquodale had 16 assists and three digs, to add to Irvin's 22 assists and five digs.

"Communication was a really big part of our win tonight," said Middleton. " We are finally coming together and playing as one unit, as a team and not individuals and you can really tell the difference when we're playing."

Monica Knight led the Pride with 12 kills and 12 digs, as Hofstra dropped to 1-8 on the season.

Texas State hit .406 in the first set to break down the Hofstra offense and win the set, 25-19. The Bobcats recorded four service aces in the set as both Middleton and AJ Watlington had four kills each. The Pride stayed in the set early with the Bobcats at 5-5, but a pair of kills by Watlington and two service aces by the Bobcats helped extended their lead to 11-7 in the next few serves.

The Pride battled back in the second as they took the set 25-18. Irvin started a rally, as she served three straight points to put the Bobcats to within two, but Hofstra was able to come away with the set win improving their hitting percentage to .281.

Swift serving by Irvin in the third helped the Bobcats jump out to a 7-0 lead forcing the Pride to call a timeout and regroup. Hofstra ended the Bobcats run on a kill by Anissa Whitney to earn their first kill of the set. Middleton joined in on the impressive serving as she served the next 10 points for Texas State increasing its lead to, 17-1. The Bobcats finished off the Pride, 25-6, for its best set of the tournament.

"The third set was just a combination of everything we've been working for ... we had focus, we were wanting the win and mostly we were building off the loss of the second set," said Middleton.

Texas State finished off the Pride in the fourth set, 25-20 to win the match and tally its second straight win. The Bobcats hit .337 tonight as they held the Pride to .169.

The CenturyTel Premier will continue tomorrow with Texas Southern and Hofstra opening afternoon play at 12:00pm and Texas State and Texas A&M will close out the tournament with the 2:00pm match. Both Texas State and Texas A&M are 2-0 in the CenturyTel Premier and will play for the championship tomorrow.

"I have never been one to back away from tough competition. We've played BYU, Baylor, Marquette and number of other people that are ranked. You play the tough teams and get your kids used to playing at a high level and that prepares you for the Southland Conference play," said Chisum.

 

 

CenturyTel Premier Results

Friday, Sept. 11 Match 1: Texas A&M 3, Hofstra 0 Match 2: Texas State 3, Texas Southern 0 Match 3: Texas A&M 3, Texas Southern 0 Match 4: Texas State 3, Hofstra 1

Saturday, Sept. 12 Match 5: Hofstra vs Texas Southern 12pm Match 6: Texas State vs Texas A&M 2pm