SAN MARCOS, Texas – A big weekend is on the docket as RV Texas State (8-1, 3-0 Sun Belt) is set for a Sun Belt Conference West Division showdown against No. 15 Louisiana (11-0, 5-0 Sun Belt) on Oct. 16-17 at Earl K. Long Gym in Lafayette, La. The three-match series will begin with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, before ended the weekend with a 1 p.m. match on Saturday, Oct. 17.
 
All three matches will be streamed on ESPN+. Both Texas State and Louisiana have been mentioned in the AVCA Fall Division I Top-15 Coaches Poll that began on Sept. 30.  In week three of the poll, TXST is receiving 34 votes. The Bobcats received their first ranking in the AVCA National Poll in program history on Sept. 30 at No. 15.
 
The Bobcats' 8-1 overall record is their best start through nine matches since 1982 and just the third time the program has had an 8-1 start, including 1970. They will put their five-match win streak to the test as they head to Lafayette to challenge an undefeated Louisiana team after having two weekends off. The last time the Bobcats were in action was Sept. 25-26 when they topped ULM with three consecutive sweeps. As a unit, the Bobcats enter the weekend ranking No. 3 in the Sun Belt Conference with a .257 hitting percentage, 12.76 assists per set, and 13.82 kills per set. Defensively, the team is No. 5 in the league with a .135 opponent hitting percentage and 2.14 blocks per set.  
 
Junior outside hitter Janell Fitzgerald leads the Bobcats with 3.36 kills per set (111 total kills) and has a .369 hitting percentage. Fitzgerald ranks No. 5 and No. 8 in the Sun Belt in hitting percentage and kills per set, respectively. She also paces the team with 25 total blocks. Sophomore outside Caitlan Buettner follows with 2.90 kills per set (90 total kills) and adds eight total blocks and three aces. Junior setter Emily DeWalt directs the offense with 10.38 assists per set (No. 4 in the Sun Belt) and has registered 3.22 digs per set, 33 kills, and seven aces. Senior middle blocker Tyeranee Scott who has 2.26 kills on average (70 total kills) has recorded 24 total blocks (0.77 per set) and paces the team with seven solo blocks, and junior libero Kayla Granado anchors the defense with 3.97 digs per set (131 total digs) that sits at No. 9 in the conference. Granado also has seven aces this season.
 
SCOUTING LOUISIANA
Louisiana is 11-0 on the year, including a 6-0 mark at home. The Ragin' Cajuns lead the league with a .275 hitting percentage and holds their opponent to a .129 hitting percentage. Louisiana also leads the league with 14.62 kills per set, 13.86 assists per set, and 18.73 digs per set.
 
Senior outside hitter Hali Wisnoskie leads the team with 4.62 kills per set (171 total) behind a .323 hitting percentage. She also averages 2.62 digs per set and has 15 total blocks and seven aces this season. Junior outside hitter Kelsey Bennett follows with 3.49 kills per set (129 total) on a .263 attack percentage and averages 3.57 digs per set, has 18 total blocks, and has six aces. Sophomore middle blocker Kara Barnes leads the team with 0.97 blocks per set (36 total blocks) and eight aces to go along with 2.59 kills per set (96 total) and .380 hitting percentage. Senior setter Avery Breaux leads the Sun Belt with 11.97 assists per set (443 total) and matches Barnes with eight aces. She also has 2.89 digs per set and 10 total blocks. Finally, senior libero Hannah Ramirez ranks No. 3 in the Sun Belt with 5.32 digs per set (197 total) and also has eight aces this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Texas State leads the all-time series record vs. Louisiana 18-2. The Bobcats are 5-2 all-time when playing in Lafayette, including last season's five-set loss on Nov. 3, 2019.
 
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