Volleyball | 10/21/2015 2:41:00 PM
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State continues the team's longest string of road matches this season with matchups at Troy and South Alabama this weekend.
Match 1 Info: Texas State (12-10, 7-2 SBC) at Troy (13-11, 6-4 SBC)
Site: Trojan Arena – Troy, Ala.
Date: Thursday, October 22 – 6 p.m.
Match 2 Info: Texas State (12-10, 7-2 SBC) at South Alabama (11-9, 5-4 SBC)
Site: Jaguar Gym – Mobile, Ala.
Date: Saturday, October 24 – 12 p.m.
The SeriesVs. Troy: 5-0Last Meeting: W, 3-0 (11/15/14) Texas State and Troy have not played many times in their histories, but the Bobcats have dominated the short-lived series. Texas State has won all five meetings between the two teams, including a 3-0 sweep in the last meeting on Nov. 15, 2014.
The Bobcats put Troy away with ease in the last match, outblocking the Trojans, 11-2. Texas State used the team's trademark versatility to get the win.
Jordan Kohl led the team in kills with 10 while two other Bobcats tallied eight and setter
Caylin Mahoney put down seven. She added 18 assists while
Sierra Smith led the team in digs with nine. Five Bobcats had four blocks or more in the match.
Vs. South Alabama: 3-1Last Meeting: W, 3-1 (11/2/14) Texas State's series vs. South Alabama is even shorter than the one against Troy. The Bobcats hold a 3-1 advantage in the four-match series since Texas State joined the Sun Belt Conference. The last meeting took place in Mobile, Ala., and the Bobcats came out on top, 3-1.
The Bobcats outserved USA, 5-0, and doubled up the Jaguars in blocking, 14-7.
Jordan Kohl and
Alexandra Simms stood out with 16 and 10 kills respectively, five other Bobcats put down at least five kills or more.
Caylin Mahoney gave out 41 assists and added an ace while
Shelby Vas Matt and
Lauren Kirch served up two aces apiece. Kirch had eight blocks against the Jaguars to lead the Bobcats at the net while Vas Matt led the team in digs with 14.
On the TrojansTroy is the hottest team in the Sun Belt Conference outside of the two undefeated teams Arkansas State and Appalachian State. The Trojans have won eight consecutive matches going into Thursday night, but, before that streak, Troy fell in nine consecutive matches. The team's winning streak of eight matches, though, has put the Trojans in fourth place in the SBC, one spot behind the Bobcats.
The top offensive threat for Troy is Blair Winston with 273 kills on the season. No other Trojan has more than 186 kills. The difference isn't quite as pronounced during conference play with Winston at 116 kills against conference opponents and Sara Landis not far behind with 92.
Reina Terry runs the offense from the setter position with 648 assists. She is also second on the team with 203 digs. The leader, however, is Ali Dowdall with 456 digs on the season. At the net, Darby Griff has 98 blocks while Landis has 80 on the season.
The Bobcats could have an advantage in service against Troy as the team's opponents have served 29 more aces against the Trojans.
On the JaguarsSouth Alabama has been up and down through the season, only putting together as large of a winning streak as three matches and that only happened once. The Jaguars have, however, won three of the team's last four matches. They are also 7-2 at home this season.
Mechell Daniel leads the team in kills by a large margin with 302 on the season. The next closest Jaguar is Nikki Gittens with 182 kills. In conference play, Daniel has 153 kills and Gittens has 86. Emma Anderson distributes the ball with 679 assists on the year. Two Jaguars have service aces in the twenties to help the team to 95 aces on the year, six less than their opponents.
Defensively, Emily Hundt leads the team with 321 digs. Arissa Chappell has 202 digs while Daniel has tallied 195 on the year. At the net, Sarah Richardson has 78 blocks while Gittens has put down 77.
On the BobcatsTexas State is looking to rebound after a loss to undefeated Arkansas State. Despite the loss, the Bobcats have played well in conference play with four consecutive conference wins before facing the Red Wolves and seven of eight going into that match.
The Bobcats are starting to rack up double-doubles with
Shelby Vas Matt and
Kelsey Weynand both notching two apiece last week and setter
Erin Hoppe getting in on the action with 25 assists and 11 digs against Arkansas State. Another Bobcat who has come on strong is
Brenna Lyles at the libero position with 45 digs in the last two matches.
Outside of that, it's the usual suspects at the top of the stat sheet for the Bobcats.
Jordan Kohl leads the team in kills with 224 while Hoppe leads in assists and service aces with 565 and 33 respectively.
Sierra Smith has 250 digs to lead the team while
Morgan Lewis leads Texas State with 72 blocks.
Jaliyah Bolden, however, leads the team in blocks per set at 1.07. She may see time on the court this weekend.
A Look AheadTexas State's long road trip finally comes to an end after this weekend. The Bobcats return home to host UL Monroe and Troy over Halloween weekend. After that, Texas State returns to the road to face UL Monroe and UL Lafayette before hosting South Alabama before the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
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