San Marcos, Texas – A promising start turned into a disappointing finish on Thursday evening in Strahan Coliseum as the Texas State volleyball team fell in four sets to visiting New Mexico State. The Bobcats opened up the match with a 25-19 win in the first set before dropping the next three by scores of 27-25, 25-22, 25-22.

Texas State saw its record fall to 14-13 overall and 9-7 in the WAC, while New Mexico State improved to 19-8, 12-4 WAC. The Bobcats, who have already clinched their spot in the WAC Tournament, remain in fifth place in the conference.

The win for the Aggies evens the season series between the two teams. Texas State knocked off New Mexico State in five sets in Las Cruces earlier this season.

On Thursday, the first set was all Texas State from the outset. Senior Caleigh McCorquodale aced the Aggies on the first point of the match, while the Bobcat block roofed four New Mexico State attacks within the first 12 points. Texas State finished the opening set with six team blocks and never trailed in rolling to a 25-19 opening set win.

The second set began much like the first with the Bobcats running out to an early lead. However, the Aggies took advantage of some Texas State miscues on offense to get back in the set and eventually tie it up late in the period. Texas State had two set-point opportunities but could not capitalize before New Mexico State came away with a 27-25 victory to tie the match at 1-1.

In set three, the Aggies raced out to an early lead, forcing the Bobcats to come back – which they did. The team went on a 5-0 run capped by a stuff block from sophomore Caylin Mahoney that tied the score at 15-15. The two teams played even until 21-21 when New Mexico State's block scored two of the final four points to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Set four mirrored set three as New Mexico State led 12-6 early in the period before the home team went on a run behind the serving of freshman Sierra Smith. Texas State tied it up at 17-17 and took a one-point advantage when sophomore Alexandra Simms killed an overpass for an 18-17 score. The lead was short-lived as New Mexico State rallied to take a 23-19 lead before closing out the match with a three-point win, 25-22.

The Bobcats recorded 12 of their 15 blocks in the first two sets and held a 15-13 advantage in that category over the visitors for the match. Molly Ahrens finished with eight blocks (one solo, seven assists), while Caylin Mahoney posted a career-high seven stuffs (one solo, six assists). Ashlee Hilbun and Amari Deardorff finished with six blocks each.

Sophomore Laura Whalen led all players with 25 digs, the second most of her career. She was one of four Bobcats in double figures in digs. Caleigh McCorquodale was second in the team with 15, while Patti Bradshaw had 11 and Ashlee Hilbun had 10.

Both McCorquodale and Hilbun notched double-doubles for the match. McCorquodale totaled 20 assists to go along with her 15 digs, while Hilbun had 13 kills with her 10 digs.

Mahoney flirted with a triple-double after posting 17 assists, nine kills and seven blocks from her setter position. She also notched a .421 hitting percentage for the match.

Offensively, Simms paced the attack with 14 kills.

The Bobcats will continue action on Saturday, November 10 in the team's final home match of the season at Strahan Coliseum. Texas State will welcome Denver to San Marcos for the first time ever when the Bobcats will have the team's Senior Day. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

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