FOLEY, Alabama — Texas State volleyball's run in the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Tournament came to an end after a nail-biting five-set loss to James Madison in the semi-finals.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Through set one the Bobcats knew it was going to be a battle. When the score was 5-5 the Bobcats were able to piece together a momentum-changing 3-0 run to take a narrow lead early on. From there, Samantha Wunsch and KJ Johnson paired for five kills apiece to win the set 25-21. The Bobcats also got five blocks in the opening set to defend the prolific JMU attack. After out-killing and out-blocking the Dukes the Bobcats took a 1-0 lead.

The Bobcats battled in the second set but the Dukes offense came alive as they hit 14-3-31 for a .323 attack line on the set. That, and seven attack errors and two service errors from the Bobcats helped the Dukes win the second set 25-17.

The Bobcats gutted out a win in set three. Despite being outkilled by the Dukes, their errors helped the Bobcats to a 25-18 win. The Bobcats block continued to be prolific with four team blocks in the set, paired with three kills apiece from Wunsch, Johnson and Bailey Hanner. Three service aces on the set also were a difference maker as the Bobcats took a 2-1 advantage.

The fourth set saw 12 tied scores and five lead changes as the two teams battled through. Once the score was tied 8-8, neither side went ahead by more than two points until the end. Ultimately, three kills from Sophie Davis in the final few points of the set was enough to force a set five. Errors from the Bobcats offense and an impressive seven kills on the set from Davis was too much for the Bobcats to overcome as they lost set four 25-22.

The Bobcats started off well in the fifth set. Taking a 4-1 lead early on with kills from Wunsch and Walsh and a huge block from Defraeye and Wunsch, things started in the 'Cats favor. At the midway point the Bobcats led 8-4, but the Dukes attack found its mojo again. Davis came alive for five kills to cap off her night and win it for the Dukes. The Bobcats fell in the fifth set 15-10.

STAT LEADERS

• Kills – Samantha Wunsch (20)
• Assists – Ryann Torres (50)
• Service Aces – Alyssa Ortega, Ryann Torres (2)
• Blocks – Jade Defraeye (11)
• Digs – Ryann Torres (13)

SCORES BY SET
1st | Texas State 25, James Madison 25
2nd | James Madison 25, Texas State 17
3rd | Texas State 25, James Madison 18
4th | James Madison 25, Texas State 22
5th | James Madison 15, Texas State 10

MATCH NOTES

• Head coach Sean Huiet sits at 95 career wins, with a 95-37 record in his four-year tenure at Texas State. He has a 55-9 record in Sun Belt Conference games. 
• Jade Defraeye had a career-high 11 blocks on the night. She had 10 block assists and one solo block.
• Ryann Torres had her second double-double of the tournament with 50 kills and 13 digs.
• KJ Johnson had a double-double as well, with 19 kills and 11 digs.

 
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will await the NCAA Selection Show on Nov. 26 at 5 p.m. The Bobcats sat at 35 in the RPI before the conference tournament, and will hope for an at-large bid to get into postseason play.
 
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