SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State volleyball celebrated Alyssa Ortega's birthday in style by getting a 3-1 win over ULM and starting out Sun Belt play on the right foot.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set one was a battle from the start between both sides, but the Bobcats defense showed strong. It would be Texas State's blocking that helped find the set win. Despite both sides combining for 20 kills, the Bobcats four blocks to ULM's zero was the difference. Two solo blocks from Jade Defraeye and seven digs from Maggie Walsh was enough to win the set 25-23.

The Warhawks figured out a game plan in set two and stuck to it. Holding the Bobcats at just a team .167 hitting percentage kept the visitors ahead for most the set. Despite keeping things close and seven kills from Walsh, the Warhawks went on a 7-1 run at the end of the set to take a 25-19 win.

After going up 5-1 early in the third set, the Bobcats got the confidence back. Wunsch started to heat up getting kill after kill set three, hitting .375 with seven kills for Texas State. It once again came from the defense in the third set two preserve the lead, which the Bobcats made a team effort of with all but one player getting at least one dig through set three.

Set four was all gas for the Bobcats as they quickly won set four. After going up 10-4, it was all about finding ways to get points. Despite having just eight kills, the Bobcats also had four team blocks and forced the Warhawks into 14 attack errors. This helped the team to a dominate 25-11 win in to take the match in four sets.

WHAT HEAD COACH SEAN HUIET SAID: 
"When you win and get to start at home you feel good about that, it just took us too long. ULM did a great job following their game plan, we were on the defense way too long. Once we got back in there, once we got back to our serve and pass, you saw what we could do. Glad we got the win."

WHAT OUTSIDE HITTER SAMANTHA WUNSCH SAID:
"We've had some injuries, there's no question. Everybody is just ready to have each other's backs no matter is who playing on the court. Maggie [Walsh] did an amazing job coming front row and she popped off tonight. I think we're all just in it for the same goal so we're all ready to step up."

STAT LEADERS

• Kills – Maggie Walsh (18)
• Assists – Ryann Torres (20)
• Service Aces – Alyssa Ortega (1)
• Blocks – Zenai Jethroe, Jade Defraeye (4)
• Digs – Maggie Walsh (17)

SCORES BY SET

• 1st | Texas State 25, ULM 22
• 2nd | ULM 25, Texas State 19
• 3rd | Texas State 25, ULM 23
• 4th | Texas State 25, ULM 11

 
MATCH NOTES

• The Bobcats improve to 8-4 on the season and 1-0 in Sun Belt Conference play with the win over ULM.
• Maggie Walsh had her second career double-double, highlighted by a career-high 18 kills and 17 digs. Her previous double-double was against ULM as well, on Sept. 22, 2023.
• Head coach Sean Huiet sits at 83 career wins, with a 83-32 record in his four-year tenure at Texas State. He has a 44-5 record in Sun Belt Conference games.

UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will have one more battle with the Warhawks inside Strahan Arena Friday night. The match will start at 6 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+. After that the Bobcats will head to Virginia for a rematch of the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Championship with James Madison on Sept. 28 and 29.
 
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