ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas State volleyball team came from two sets down to earn a 3-2 (26-28, 17-25, 25-8, 25-21, 15-11) victory over UTA Monday night inside College Park Center.
 
The Bobcats (21-8, 12-2 SBC) completed the season sweep over their rivals and moved into a tie for first place with Louisiana in the SBC West Division. The triumph sets up a showdown with the Ragin' Cajuns in San Marcos. TXST and UL will meet at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10, with the winner laying claim to the division crown and a top 2 seed in the 2017 SBC Championship.
 
Sophomore Megan Porter finished with a double-double of 16 kills and 12 digs. Senior Jaliyah Bolden pounded 10 kills, while sophomore Amy Pflughaupt added 18 digs. Senior Erin Hoppe distributed a match-high 47 assists, while sophomores Mattie Adams (13) and Micah Dinwiddie (11) also posted double-digit digs.
 
The Mavericks (12-15, 6-8 SBC) jumped on top by winning the first set 28-26. Texas State was able to fend off a pair of set points, but the third time was the charm for the home team. The Bobcats were the first to find some daylight with an 18-15 advantage, but the home team used a 6-1 run to take a 21-19 lead. From there, the two sides jockeyed back and forth into a 24-24 standstill. UTA won four of the final six points to take the early swing of momentum.
 
The home team never trailed in the second, closing out the period 25-17. They found a 10-5 early lead that improved to 19-10. Texas State closed to within six at one point, but the visitors could not get any closer.
 
The Bobcats ensured they would not be swept by winning the third 25-8. TXST raced out to a 10-3 advantage and never looked back. The dominance continued to swell all the way until the final 17-point margin of victory. The last time UTA failed to reach double digits at home in a set played to 25 points came on Oct. 11, 2012 (Idaho).
 
TXST sent the night into a fifth and decisive period after winning the fourth set 25-21. Texas State initially jumped on top 10-3 and technically never trailed, but the Mavericks would not go away quietly. The home side battled all the way back to a one-point deficit at 21-20, but the maroon and gold won four of the last five points to claim the period.
 
The two sides played to a 6-6 draw in the final set looking to find a way to own the evening, but it was the Bobcats who were able to move ahead 10-6 on the strength of a swift 4-0 run. UTA got back within two at 12-10, but the visitors snatched three of the final five points to steal the crucial road victory.
 
Qiana Canete (21 kills, 15 digs) and Kylie Jedlicka (18 kills, 18 digs) both doubled up in the losing effort, while Haley Higgins posted 43 assists. Madison Smith also added 11 digs for the Mavericks.
 
Texas State led in every statistical category, including kills (60-55), attack percentage (.229-.138), assists (56-53), aces (6-4), digs (67-63), and blocks (15-13).
 
The Bobcats will now return home for their final two regular-season matches of the year. First on the docket will be the showdown with Louisiana, followed by Senior Day against ULM at noon Nov. 12.
 
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