SAN MARCOS, Texas – After dropping its first Sun Belt Conference match of the season in early October, Texas State (21-8, 13-2 Sun Belt) responded with a 3-1 victory (22-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-18) vs. Arkansas State (15-10, 6-7 Sun Belt) Saturday night at Strahan Arena. With the win, the Bobcats claimed at least a share of the 2019 Sun Belt Conference regular-season title and can win it outright for the second consecutive season with a win next weekend vs. UT Arlington.
"That was a great match and it was exciting for the fans," said head coach
Karen Chisum. "I was extremely proud of our comeback after dropping the first set. These gals were confident in the huddle, so I never really got worried. We have another championship for the Bobcats and it helps bring more positive publicity to the university and that is what is all about. But we are not through yet. We do not want to share this title. We want it outright, so we will have to take care of business against UT Arlington who will not take it easy on us."
While evening the all-time series record at 10-10 vs. Arkansas State, the Bobcats also extend their conference home winning streak to 22 matches. After dropping the first set, Texas State responded by winning the next three frames with 2,214 fans behind them, the seventh-largest crowd in program history. Overall the Maroon and Gold hit .279 in the match and held the Red Wolves to a .170 clip behind 70 total digs and 11 blocks. Four Bobcats finished the match hitting .300 or better and four also logged 10 or more digs.
Senior outside hitter
Cheyenne Huskey paced the Bobcats with her 11th double-double of the season, registering 15 kills (.308) and 14 digs. She also led all players with two aces and finished with four blocks. The Bobcat freshman turned in a great night led by middle blocker
Tessa Marshall who had a career-high 12 kills (.357) and seven blocks. She was followed by outside hitter
Caitlan Buettner who matched a career-high 11 kills (.391). Buettner also added three blocks. Sophomore setter
Emily DeWalt also recorded her 11th double-double this season as well, finishing with 46 assists and 10 digs to go along with two kills, one ace, and one block. Junior middle blocker
Tyeranee Scott had eight kills (.375) and three blocks, and sophomore
Janell Fitzgerald also had eight kills. Junior libero
Brooke Johnson had a team-high 15 digs and sophomore
Kayla Granado added 12 digs and one ace.
Sophomore outside hitter Macy Putt led the Red Wolves with 12 kills and had nine digs and three blocks. Junior outside Paulina Sobolewska was behind her with 10 kills and sophomore Timber Terrell finished with eight kills. Sophomore setter Julianna Cramer finished with 21 assists and nine digs, while sophomore libero Hannah Cox had a match-high 18 digs in the loss.
Set 1
The first set featured eight ties and three lead changes that went the Red Wolves' way with a 25-22 score. After each team traded points, Arkansas State went on a 5-0 run to take a 16-14 lead that forced a Bobcat timeout. TXST continued to fight and tied the set at 19, but A-State ended the set on a 6-3 run to take a 1-0 match lead.
Set 2
The Red Wolves jumped out to a 5-1 lead to make the Bobcats use an early timeout, but the home team responded by scoring the next five points that led to a massive 16-4 scoring run to gain a 17-9 advantage. Arkansas State tried to grab ahold of some late momentum, but Texas State put them away with a 25-15 victory.
Set 3
The Bobcats made the first move of the set and began to separate themselves with a 15-7 lead thanks to six unanswered points. Arkansas State began to piece together a comeback and got within one point at 20-19, but Texas State closed the set on a 5-0 run for the 25-19 win, taking a 2-1 match lead.
Set 4
Texas State opened the set with a 9-4 lead and was the first to 15 with a slight 15-13 advantage. The Red Wolves would only get as close as one point in the entire frame (15-14) before running out of gas and Huskey took over late by scoring five of the final eight kills between both clubs to secure the 25-18 win.
Texas State will host senior day vs. UT Arlington at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 to conclude the regular season. The Sun Belt Conference Championships will be held at Strahan Arena Nov. 21-24.
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