SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Texas State volleyball 2021 fall schedule has been filled with eye-opening opponents and the Bobcats' next opponent — Texas A&M — will be no different as the Aggies travel to San Marcos for the first time since the 2009 season.
The match, which will be just the third match inside Strahan Arena for the Bobcats so far this season, will begin at 6 p.m. CT and can be streamed on ESPN+.
LOOKING AT THE BOBCATS
The Bobcat Invitational was very productive for the Maryland transfer
Jada Gardner, who was credited with double-digit kills in both of Texas State's matches last week. Gardner, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, was one kill shy of her season high — 14 against then-No. 6 Ohio State on Sept. 4, 2020 — when she had 13 in 25 total attacks (.360) against Miami (FL) on Friday, Sept. 10. Gardner has totaled double-digit kills in four of her last seven matches.
In Texas State's win over Alabama last Friday,
Tessa Marshall became the first Bobcat student-athlete to be credited with double-digit blocks when the 6-foot-1, middle blocker had 10 block assists. Marshall entered last weekend's Bobcat Invitational with 13 total blocks on the season and doubled that statistic in just two matches after having three against Miami (FL) following the win over the Crimson Tide.
Speaking of block assists,
Tyeranee Scott sits 20 block assists shy of tying the Texas State volleyball program record of 325 set by Amber Calhoun (2008-11). Scott enters Tuesday's match with 305 career block assists, which is the fourth most in program history behind Laura Ivy (1997-00) for third.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
Texas A&M travels to San Marcos with a 6-2 overall record that includes an active five-game winning streak since dropping a three-set match at Hawai'I on Sunday, Aug. 29. Since losing to Hawai'I, the Aggies have reeled off wins against Cal Poly, Texas A&M-Copus Christi, Houston, Albany and UTSA. TAMU has dropped only one of its last 15 sets.
Texas A&M have two student-athletes flirting with the 100-kill mark at this point in the season. Morgan Christon, who has played in 27 sets throughout eight matches, leads the team with 92 kills. Lauren Davis, who has appeared in 23 sets in six matches, is on Christon's heels with 89 kills. Davis' 4.13 kills per set is higher than Christon's 3.76 mark, but Christon has totaled 101.5 points to Davis' 95.0.
As a result of Christon and Davis' offensive plan this season, Camille Conner enters Tuesday night's contest with 295 assists in 29 sets played. Conner, who has appeared in and started all eight matches for the Aggies this season, averages 10.17 assists per set to go along with 29 kills and four service aces.
SERIES HISTORY
In a series that dates to 1973, Texas A&M holds a 26-6 all-time advantage over Texas State.
The Bobcats have not beaten the Aggies since Sept. 28, 1991, when Texas State won a five-set match (13-15, 15-4, 17-15, 4-15, 15-11) at home. That match also marked the last time the Bobcats beat the Aggies in San Marcos.
The two programs last met on a volleyball court on Sept. 12, 2019, when the Aggies knocked off the Bobcats in four sets in College Station.
Tuesday night's matchup will mark the first game against Texas A&M for
Sean Huiet as head coach of the Texas State volleyball program.
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