JONESBORO, Ark. — Twenty-four hours after having four student-athletes with double-digit kills, the Texas State volleyball offense stayed hot as the Bobcats totaled 52 kills in a three-set victory against Arkansas State.
Texas State (10-11, 6-2) claimed a back-and-forth first set following back-to-back attack errors from Arkansas State (13-8, 4-5). The hot Bobcat offense was on full display early in the second set as the Bobcats recorded nine kills to spark a 12-5 run out of the gate. The scoring run was ultimately expanded to 14-6, before the Red Wolves halted it.
A three-point run for Texas State — with Arkansas State trailing by three — allowed the Bobcats to reach the 20-point mark first in the set. Two
Janell Fitzgerald kills and a block by
Caitlan Buettner and
Tessa Marshall closed out the set.
With the third set tied at 6-6, Texas State went on an 11-6 run to take a commanding 17-12 lead. After Arkansas State battled back to re-tie the set at 19-19, the Bobcats scored six of the next eight points to seal the victory.
FROM HEAD COACH SEAN HUIET
"I am really proud of my team and my staff. We knew this weekend was going to be a tough road swing at two really good opponents. I am excited to be coming home with two sweeps. Our team looked prepared and made some gritty adjustments during both matches that helped us finish on top."
STAT LEADERS
SCORES BY SET
- 1st | Texas State 25, Arkansas State 23
- 2nd | Texas State 25, Arkansas State 19
- 3rd | Texas State 25, Arkansas State 21
MATCH NOTES
- With Saturday night's result, the Texas State volleyball program has now won its last 12 consecutive sets dating back to its match against Louisiana on Saturday, Oct. 2. Since facing the Ragin' Cajuns, the Bobcats have swept four straight Sun Belt Conference matches.
- For the second straight match, the Texas State offense had multiple student-athletes finish with double-digit kills. A night after four reached the mark at Little Rock, Janell Fitzgerald, Jada Gardner and Caitlan Buettner all recorded 10-or-more kills at Arkansas State.
- With 16 kills against the Red Wolves, Texas State senior outside hitter Janell Fitzgerald surpassed the 1,250-kill mark for her playing career. Fitzgerald became the 11th student-athlete in program history to reach that milestone.
UP NEXT
- Texas State will return to San Marcos for a two-game swing next week as the Bobcats host Coastal Carolina on Friday, Oct. 22, then Appalachian State on Saturday, Oct. 23.
- 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.
