SAN MARCOS, Texas — A conference play high 13 blocks for Texas State played a big role in the Bobcats 3-1 win over Louisiana. A career-high eight kills paired with a team-high six blocks from Jade Defraeye put an exclamation mark on the match.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half of set one was a chess match of back and forth moves but after a massive block by Ryann Torres and Jade Defraeye, the Bobcats became unstoppable. Texas State went on a 13-0 run highlighted by two more blocks and two kills from Defraeye to cruise to a 25-12 set win to open the game. The Bobcats were hitting a .300 with 13 kills as a team in the opening set, holding the visitors to swinging -.091 in the opening set with just five kills.

Things started close again in set two, but the Bobcats again were able to go on a run and pull themselves away from the visitors. After KJ Johnson tied things up at 13, the Bobcats went on a 6-2 run to claim the lead after being down early in the set. From there, the Bobcats kept swinging to take the 25-18 set two win.

The Ragin' Cajuns offense came alive in set three. With 16 kills in set three they were able to win set three 25-17. After allowing the Bobcats to hit .275 or higher through the first two sets, they held the Bobcats to a .097 hitting percentage in set three. 

Texas State regrouped for set four, though. Shaking off the third set, the Bobcats knew they could take care of business in the fourth set. Despite eight lead changes and 15 times the score was tied, the Bobcats ground out a 25-22 win in set three. After going down 11-8 the Bobcats dug deep. It was a two point match all the way through to the end when the Bobcats went 4-0 after being down 21-22 to get the win off one of Wunsch's four kills in the final set.

WHAT HEAD COACH SEAN HUIET SAID:
"I thought the way we came out was exactly what we wanted. We know Louisiana is a good team, so the way we started I thought we served well. We've been trying to get our middles back in and get our middles some offense, they did a really good job tonight. With 13 blocks in four sets, that's good. We had a little lull in there, but we just have to win three sets. Doesn't matter how we do it. I really liked how we responded there in the fourth set. Being down it would've been easy to fold back and make it go five, but they gutted up a bit and showed who we are and I'm proud of that."

WHAT MIDDLE BLOCKER BAILEY HANNER SAID:
"When we have a big full stadium, it gives us some energy. Especially towards the end of that fourth set, when everyone starts cheering, that's when we're like 'we're not losing this set.' We just have to get it done. It's really great."

STAT LEADERS

• Kills – Samantha Wunsch (11)
• Assists – Ryann Torres (37)
• Service Aces – Ryann Torres (2)
• Blocks – Jade Defraeye (6)
• Digs – Alyssa Ortega, Maggie Walsh (14)

SCORES BY SET

• 1st | Texas State 25, Louisiana 12
• 2nd | Texas State 25, Louisiana 18
• 3rd | Louisiana 25, Texas State 17
• 4th | Texas State 25, Louisiana 22

 
MATCH NOTES

• The Bobcats improve to 10-6 on the season and 3-2 in Sun Belt Conference play with the win over Louisiana.
• Head coach Sean Huiet sits at 85 career wins, with an 85-34 record in his four-year tenure at Texas State. He has a 46-7 record in Sun Belt Conference games.
• Jade Defraeye set a new career-high for kills in a match with eight. Her previous high was six versus ULM on 9/28/23.

UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will face the Ragin' Cajuns one more time in Strahan Arena, tomorrow at 2 p.m.. Up next the Bobcats will travel to Southern Miss for a pair of matches on Oct. 13th and 14th. 
 
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