SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Texas State volleyball program will conclude its three-match homestand when the Bobcats host UTA on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. The two teams will turn around to play, again, on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. in Arlington.
Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
LOOKING AT THE BOBCATS
Texas State will head into this week's matches against UTA needing just 75 digs to surpass 1,000 digs on the season. The Bobcats are averaging 14.9 digs per set so far this season. On the other side of the net, opponents have totaled only 902 digs and a 14.5 digs per set mark against the Bobcats.
The Bobcat offense is on the verge of having six student-athletes surpass 100-or-more kills on the season. Texas State currently has five with
Jada Gardner (169),
Janell Fitzgerald (120),
Tyeranee Scott (107),
Tessa Marshall (103) and
Caitlan Buettner (102).
Lauren Teske is on the doorstep knocking to join the club as she has 88 kills in 44 sets played this season.
Speaking of
Jada Gardner, the Maryland transfer has been nothing short of productive for Texas State this season. In 61 sets played, Gardner has a team-high 169 kills to go along with 100 digs, 29.0 blocks, nine assists and a team-high 13 service aces. She's the lone Bobcat to have both 100 kills and digs so far this season.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
UTA enters this week's two-game swing with Texas State with a 3-10 overall record and a 1-3 mark in Sun Belt Conference action this season. The Mavericks have wins over Prairie View A&M, Northwestern State and ULM. In conference play, UTA has dropped matches against South Alabama, Troy, and Louisiana.
Defensively, UTA features one of the best defensive specialists in the conference in Alli Wells. The 5-foot-6, Waxahachie, Texas native has earned the conference's weekly defensive player of the week honor twice this season and five times over the course of her playing career. In 13 matches played this season, Wells has been credited with 10-or-more digs in 11 contests. The sophomore set her season high with 35 digs against Louisiana on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.
Through 53 sets played this season, UTA has allowed the most kills — among Sun Belt Conference volleyball programs — to its opponents at 13.28 kills per set. Opponents have been credited with 704 kills against the Maverick defense.
SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series history between Texas State and UTA dates to 1973 with the Bobcats holding the edge with a 44-42 all-time record against the Mavericks. Over the last 29 matches, though, Texas State is 25-4 against UTA, including winning 13 of the last 14.
The last seven consecutive matches between the two programs have been settled in three sets.
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.
