TROY, Alabama — After its second 3-1 win over Troy in as many days, the Bobcats were able to clinch the top seed in the West Division and finish divisional play with an 11-1 record. The Bobcats are now guaranteed a first and second round bye at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Foley, Alabama.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Coming out of the gate the Bobcats had a lot of energy and were looking to keep momentum rolling from the night before. Despite the set being close most the way through, the Bobcats were able to keep control of the tempo even when Troy drew things level. It was a back-and-forth affair but
Samantha Wunsch hitting .700 on the set for seven kills was a big part in the ultimate 25-20 win. Additionally, the Trojans started things off with eight attack errors, which helped the Bobcats earn the win in set one.
The Trojans bounced back in set two, though, and were able to find a set win despite the Bobcats keeping things close in the beginning of the set. A 7-1 run from the Trojans after the score was tied 8-8 was the difference in the set. The Trojans won 25-18 to draw the match level and 1-1.
The Bobcats rebounded well in set three, though. After going up 10-6 they were able to get some momentum back and confidence on their side. The Trojans didn't go down without a fight, though. It again came down to the Bobcats' prolific defense that was the deciding factor in set three. Despite the Trojans out-killing Texas State 13-10, it was the seven team blocks from the Bobcats that helped them get the 26-24 set win. Highlighted by a five-kill, two-block set from Wunsch, the Bobcats had the advantage headed to set four.
Texas State hit the gas in set four. Going on a 6-0 run to start which included two blocks early on, the Bobcats were ready to become West Division Champions. After going on a 14-3 run to find themselves up 20-9, it was just about finishing the set confidently. Four more kills from Wunsch and four blocks by
Bailey Hanner highlighted the exclamation mark set that ended 25-16 in favor of the Bobcats.
With the 3-1 win over Troy the Bobcats finish Sun Belt divisional play with an 11-1 record. This is the seventh-straight year the Bobcats have won the West Division.
WHAT HEAD COACH SEAN HUIET SAID: "I'm so proud of this team and staff! We are playing some of our best volleyball right now and it's great timing as we head into the last weekend of the regular season and head to the conference tournament."
STAT LEADERS
SCORES BY SET
- 1st | Texas State 25, Troy 20
- 2nd | Troy 25, Texas State 18
- 3rd | Texas State 26, Troy 24
- 4th | Texas State 25, Troy 16
MATCH NOTES
- The Bobcats improved to 18-7 on the season and 11-3 in Sun Belt Conference play with the win over Troy. The Bobcats are 19-0 all-time against the Trojans.
- Head coach Sean Huiet sits at 93 career wins, with an 93-35 record in his four-year tenure at Texas State. He has a 54-8 record in Sun Belt Conference games.
- With the win the Bobcats won its seventh-straight West Division title in the Sun Belt Conference.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will close the regular season at home with two games against conference-leading Coastal Carolina on Nov. 9 and 10 at 6 p.m. inside Strahan Arena. The Bobcats will celebrate Senior Night on Nov. 10
th as they honor their three graduates,
KJ Johnson,
Sophie Childs and
Megan Woods.
After the weekend matches with Coastal, Texas State will head to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Foley, Alabama. With clinching the first seed in the division, the Bobcats will begin play on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. against the winner of the match between the fourth seed in the east and fifth seed in the west.
FOLLOW US
For the latest information on the team, follow @TexasStateVball on Twitter, @TxStateVolleyball on Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can also be at @TxStateBobcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
