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San Marcos, Texas – Playing in front of her family for the first time as a Bobcat, senior Lindy DeGeare put on a show as the Texas State volleyball team defeated Stephen F. Austin, 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-14), at Strahan Coliseum on Thursday night. The victory extended the team's season-long winning streak to 10 matches.
DeGeare, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., had extra motivation for Thursday's game as she and her father were reunited for the first time since June prior to the match. DeGeare's father, Don, had been serving in Afghanistan and flew into Austin just hours before the contest began. He was joined at the match by Lindy's mother, Mary, and sister, Stephanie.
The outside hitter did not disappoint – finishing the match with season highs of 16 kills and three blocks to go along with a .500 hitting percentage, which tied her season best. The senior also had her customary strong day at the service line, ripping three aces to bring her conference-leading total to 46 for the season.
“I was really excited for Lindy,” said head coach Karen Chisum. “She's going to have her family in the stands all weekend long, so I'm glad that she had the match that she did. Lindy has been a great addition to the program.”
The offense led the charge in the first set, while the defense took over in set two for the Bobcats. As a team, Texas State hit .324 in the opening period and never trailed in cruising to an eight-point first-set victory. In the second set, Texas State held SFA to a .081 hitting percentage thanks largely to six blocks that propelled the Bobcats to a 25-20 win and 2-0 lead in the match.
It all came together in the final set as the team used long serving runs from Laura Whalen, Danielle Sanchou and DeGeare to go on an 18-4 spurt and take a commanding lead before closing out the match with a 25-14 victory.
The win was the 998th in the history of the Texas State volleyball program and improved the Bobcats' record this season to 19-6 and 10-1 in the Southland Conference to remain in second place. The team is now one win away from giving head coach Karen Chisum a 20-win season for the 20th time in her coaching career.
Stephen F. Austin dropped to 12-14, 5-6 SLC after falling to the Bobcats for the second time this season.
Caleigh McCorquodale dished out 34 assists and added nine digs as she helped the Bobcats hit .327 for the match. It was the sixth time this conference season that the Bobcats have hit at least .300 as a team.
Defensively, the Bobcats posted 12 blocks led by seven (two solo, five assists) from sophomore Ashlee Hilbun. Senior Amber Calhoun added four and both McCorquodale and DeGeare had three for the Bobcats, who held a 12-4 advantage in the category.
Texas State will look to extend its winning streak to 10 games on Saturday when the Bobcats host Sam Houston State on Homecoming Saturday at Strahan Coliseum. First serve for the team's second-to-last home match of the season will be at 7 p.m.
