JONESBORO, Ark. – The Texas State volleyball team collected a 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-22, 26-24) over Arkansas State in a Sun Belt Conference match Saturday night inside Convocation Center.
 
The Bobcats (13-7, 5-1 SBC) earned their fifth-straight triumph, all by 3-0 margins. The last time the maroon and gold swept five-consecutive opponents came back in October 2000. The Red Wolves (10-9, 3-3 SBC) suffered their first 3-0 loss in SBC play since Nov. 22, 2014 against Little Rock.
 
Sophomore Amy Pflughaupt blasted a career-high 19 kills on a .326 attack percentage (five errors, 43 swings). Classmate Megan Porter recorded her seventh double-double of the season (11 kills, 11 digs), and senior Erin Hoppe distributed a match-high 42 assists. Sophomores Micah Dinwiddie (13) and Mattie Adams (12) combined for 25 digs.
 
Texas State was able to earn a 25-20 victory in the first set of play. Arkansas State powered on top 10-7 early, but the Bobcats ventured on a 7-1 run to move ahead 14-11. The home side drew level at 15-15 and later 17-17, but TXST won eight of the final 11 points to claim the opener.
 
The Bobcats never trailed in the second en route to a 25-22 triumph. Texas State initially found a 5-1 lead that swelled to 13-8 and then later 21-14. Arkansas State fought back and got within two at 24-22, but the deficit inevitably proved to be too much to overcome.
 
The Red Wolves came out on fire after intermission, as they surged to an 11-4 advantage in the third frame. They later found an 18-10 lead and looked primed to send proceedings into a fourth set. Texas State would not be denied its fifth-straight sweep, however, as the visitors went on a 16-6 run to claim the match 26-24. The Bobcats initially pulled to within five at 20-15, but they fell behind 23-18. Arkansas State found set points at 24-22, but Texas State claimed each of the final four points.
 
Drew Jones led the Red Wolves with 13 kills. Carlisa May reached 10 kills, but she had nine errors on 34 swings for a .029 hitting percentage. Ellie Watkins contributed 34 assists, and Tatum Ticknor finished with 16 digs in the losing effort.
 
Texas State paced the evening in kills (49-38), attack percentage (.232-.146), assists (47-36), digs (58-49) and blocks (11-7). Arkansas State led in aces (2-1).
 
The next outing for Texas State will be the final non-conference clash of the season. The maroon and gold will play host to TCU at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 in the 11th Annual Pink Match inside Strahan Coliseum. In conjunction with their bout with the Horned Frogs, the Bobcats will take donations and hold a silent auction to help promote cancer awareness and raise money for Pink Heals Hays County.
 
TEXAS STATE COACH KAREN CHISUM
Opening Statement…
"I am totally ecstatic for this team. That was a great win for the Bobcats. We came out flat in the third set. (Arkansas State) came out playing like a team with their backs to the wall. When we were down 23-17, I honestly almost started subbing to rest some of the girls for the fourth game. I'm glad I didn't. I can't even tell you what happened those last few points. What a fight from our team. (Convocation Center) is where the conference tournament will be next month. We told the team to get comfortable in this arena. This is where we will have to take care of business if we want to win a championship."
 
On handing A-State its first Sun Belt sweep since 2014…
"This was our fifth-straight sweep, and each of the last four have been on the road. Maybe we need to stay on the road. Our first two games were really good tonight. We didn't let them get into their offense, which was similar to how we beat Coastal Carolina (last Sunday). We held Carlisa May to just .029 hitting. Arkansas State isn't going to win without her, but I thought Drew Jones had a great match."
 
On standout Bobcats…
"Amy Pflughaupt was very hot the first two games. We were able to get our middles more involved, especially in the third set. Jaliyah Bolden had a couple of big kills in the third. I can't tell you enough how big Erin Hoppe has been the last two nights. I told her after tonight's match that this win was all her. She has taken over the leadership role right now, and she's determined. She knows this is her last year, and she's doing a great job."
 
On looking ahead to TCU and UTA at home this week…
"The team believes in themselves. We're taking care of business pretty well. It's going to be tough playing a non-conference match, especially against a good Big 12 team like TCU. But we are going to stress to the team the importance that match will have on potential postseason implications. We're going to have a good crowd that night. Our marketing department is doing a great job, and obviously it's our Pink Match. It will be nice to get back to Strahan Coliseum, but I have liked being on the road these last two weekends."
 
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