SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State will face off against Utah Valley in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb.
The Bobcats (30-8, 15-1 Sun Belt) last played on April 1 when they knocked off then No. 9 Baylor in four sets to conclude regular season play. This season, the Bobcats have a .235 hitting percentage and averages 13.69 kills on 12.81 assists per set. They also average 1.16 aces per set (155 total). On the defensive side, the team has 2.06 blocks and 16.35 digs per set.
Junior outside hitter Janell Fitzgerald leads the Bobcats with 3.47 kills per set (.311) and has 462 total kills this season. She is 23 kills away from breaking into the top five of the program's record book for the most kills in a single season. Fitzgerald has 102 total blocks (0.76 per set), including 19 solo blocks. Fitzgerald is a 2020 All-Sun Belt First Team selection and an overall three-time All-Sun Belt honoree.
Junior setter Emily DeWalt directs the offense with 10.73 assists per set and has a total of 1,423 helpers this season. DeWalt ranks No. 5 in the program's record book with 3,889 career assists, and this season, she averages 3.02 digs per set, has a total of 102 kills (.298), 61 blocks (four solos), and 17 aces. In addition to being tabbed to the All-Sun Belt First Team, DeWalt is the three-time reigning Sun Belt Conference Setter of the Year.
Senior middle blocker Tyeranee Scott paces TXST with 108 total blocks (0.89 per set) and has 21 solo blocks this year. Scott also registers a .335 hitting percentage behind 2.50 kills per set and contributes 42 digs and two aces to her season statistics. Scott was listed on the 2020 All-Sun Belt First Team and was named the Sun Belt Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Teske also garnered All-Sun Belt Second Team honors this fall and enters the tournament with 2.04 kills per set, 2.36 digs per set, and 27 total aces (0.25/set).
SCOUTING UTAH VALLEY
The Wolverines (14-5, 12-4 WAC) are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history after securing an automatic bid from the WAC Conference. UVU enters the tournament on a three-match winning streak, including a sweep over top-seeded NM State in the conference tournament championship match.
Utah Valley is led by the WAC Player of the Year, junior outside hitter Kazna Tanuvasa who is averaging 3.61 kills per set behind a .229 hitting percentage. Other standouts including senior libero Seren Jardine who has 4.89 digs per set, which leads the WAC conference, and WAC All-Freshman honoree middle blocker Kendra Nock who has 1.91 kills and 1.34 blocks per set this season.
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday, April 14 will be the first meeting between Texas State and Utah Valley.
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