TEMPE, Ariz. – The Texas State volleyball team swept Arizona State 3-0 (25-22, 28-26, 25-17) Saturday night to win the 2018 Sparky Classic Presented by DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Tempe.
 
The Bobcats (9-5) dropped just one set all weekend to earn their second tournament championship of the non-conference season (Creeds & Crests Classic). This marks the first time since 1998 that the maroon and gold has captured two tournaments in the same year. The loss snapped a 15-match non-conference home winning streak for the Sun Devils (9-3) that dated back to 2014.
 
True freshman Janell Fitzgerald ripped off a personal-best 18 kills at a .500 hitting clip, while junior Cheyenne Huskey recorded 14 kills and just one error on 18 swings for a .722 hitting percentage. True freshman Emily DeWalt added 38 assists, and classmate Kayla Granado reached double-digit digs for the first time in her career.

DeWalt was named MVP of the Sparky Classic, giving her a second tournament MVP honor this season (Creeds & Crests Classic). Huskey and Fitzgerald both earned spots on the all-tournament team.
 
Alyse Ford led ASU with 16 kills, while Nicole Peterson added 10. Shelbie Dobmeier contributed a double-double of 28 assists and 10 digs.
 
Texas State led in kills (48-39), hitting percentage (.312-.235), assists (44-38), aces (5-1), and blocks (8-5). Arizona State led in digs (39-34).

SET 1
Texas State captured the opening period 25-22. The visitors went on top 5-4 and never trailed again. TXST stretched its advantage out to 11-6, but Arizona State crawled back to within two on six different occasions before finally moving one point closer at 20-19. The Sun Devils drew level at 21-21, but the Bobcats won four of the last five points to close out the frame.
 
SET 2
The Bobcats won the second period 28-26 but not before some major theatrics. Texas State enjoyed a 22-12 advantage and looked to be well on its way to victory, but Arizona State erupted for an 11-1 run to tie the set at 23-23. The Sun Devils had two chances to even the match, but both opportunities were thwarted by the visitors as they slammed the door shut on their second set point. 
 
SET 3
The Bobcats took a 5-4 lead and never trailed again for the second time in three sets. They maintained a four-point advantage throughout the majority of the period until a 5-1 run to close out the night gave the maroon and gold the final eight margin of 25-17.
 
The triumph was the first in school history over Arizona State. The Sun Devils entered the night 3-0 all-time over the Bobcats.
 
Texas State is now set to open Sun Belt Conference action with a pair of road matches at ULM and Louisiana. The Bobcats will first face the Warhawks at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, La.
 
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