SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Texas State volleyball program will look to create more separation between itself and the rest of the Sun Belt Conference when the Bobcats travel to Arkansas to play Little Rock and Arkansas State this weekend.
Texas State's match at Little Rock will begin at 6 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 15. Then, 24 hours later, the Bobcats will take on Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark. Both volleyball matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
LOOKING AT THE BOBCATS
On Tuesday, Oct. 12, Texas State senior outside hitter
Janell Fitzgerald was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week, marking the first weekly conference honor for the Bobcats this season. Fitzgerald led the Bobcats, which picked up two wins over UTA last week, in kills (31), attack percentage (.431), kills per set (5.17), total points (34.5) and points per set (5.75). It marked the fifth career SBC Offensive Player of the Week honor for Fitzgerald and sixth career conference weekly honor after being named the freshman of the week on Nov. 12, 2018.
Texas State senior middle blocker
Tyeranee Scott enters the two-match Arkansas swing with 390 career total blocks. In 145 matches played, Scott has been credited with a program-record 338 block assists and 52 solo blocks. Her career block totals were propelled by back-to-back 114 total block seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Scott also holds a .317 career hitting percentage, which leads all active Bobcats.
A week after being credited with 31 kills, Texas State senior outside hitter
Janell Fitzgerald now sits 33 kills shy of breaking into the program's career kills top 10 list. Fitzgerald travels to Arkansas with 1,222 career kills on 2,815 career total attacks. Amari Deardorff (2010-13) sits in front of Fitzgerald with 1,254 career kills. Darbie Bruning (1985-97) would be next after Deardorff with 1,272 kills.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Little Rock comes into tomorrow evening's match against Texas State with an 11-8, 2-5 record with conference wins over Appalachian State and ULM. Out of conference, the Trojans have earned a five-set victory over Arkansas and Louisiana Tech on two separate occasions. Through 19 matches this season, the Trojans are hitting only .189 percent (875 kills and 399 errors on 2,512 total attacks).
The Red Wolves of Arkansas State have a 13-6 overall record and 4-3 conference mark heading into their Thursday night match against UTA before hosting Texas State on Saturday. Arkansas State has knocked off Appalachian State, Troy, Little Rock and ULM during its conference schedule so far this season. Like Little Rock, the Red Wolves are hitting just .190 (999 kills and 427 errors on 3,005 total attacks) this season. Macey Putt accounts for nearly a third on the team's total kills as the senior outside hitter has 345 kills this season.
SERIES HISTORY
Texas State holds a 14-5 all-time record against Little Rock with wins in the last 10 straight matches and 12 of the last 13 dating back to Oct. 1, 2015. During the active 10-match winning streak, the Bobcats have dropped only five of a possible 30 sets to the Trojans. TXST is 4-2 in matches played in Little Rock.
Just three matches separate Texas State and Arkansas State as the Bobcats are 13-10 all-time against the Red Wolves. Texas State has won seven of the last nine matches, including the last four in a row. Since joining the Sun Belt Conference, TXST is 12-6 against Arkansas State.
FOLLOW US
For the latest information on the team, follow @TexasStateVball on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can also be at @TxStateBobcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
