DALLAS, Texas — Texas State's season came to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after a 3-0 loss to Missouri on Thursday evening. Despite close sets all the way through, the Bobcats were unable to keep their season alive and will finish the year with a 22-9 record and Sun Belt Conference Tournament Champions.
 
WHAT HEAD COACH SEAN HUIET SAID: "It's frustrating. That was not out best performance. But as we talked to the team, Missouri is a good team. When you get to the NCAA tournament, only one team ends their season with a win. It's one of those times where you want to be playing your best, but like we told the team, we're so proud of them. This season has been so much fun and tonight's match doesn't define how our season went."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Mizzou forced the Bobcats into some mistakes early and took a lead in set one. After a giving up a 6-2 lead to the Tigers, Texas State went to a timeout. From there, the Bobcats performed better but were unable to overcome the deficit. While hitting just .062 and counting nine attack errors in the first set, Texas State fell 25-16. Missouri swung .387 with 16 kills and just four errors to take set one.
 
Set two was more even between the two sides in a back-and-forth battle through the first half of the set. There were 15 tied scores and six lead changes throughout the set. Texas State saw its first lead of the match to go up 3-2 off an Alyssa Ortega ace. From there, the two sides matched points but the Bobcat defense heated up as Jade Defraeye's block came alive. At the media timeout, Texas State led 15-14 off a kill from MJ McCurdy. Despite being close early, the Tigers were able to push themselves out to a narrow lead, going up 21-17. When the Bobcats brought the match back within three at 22-19, the Tigers took a timeout. Despite the team's best efforts, the Bobcats dropped set two 25-22. Texas State was able to hold the Tigers below a .200 attack percentage, but still fell narrowly in set two.
 
Set three leaned in the Bobcats favor a lot of the way. Texas State led by as many as six at the media time out. Despite that, though, the Tigers were able to fight their way back and leveled things at 18. From there, it was a 7-4 run that ultimately pushed the Tigers to the win. Texas State fell 25-22 in set three and was swept on the night.
 
Texas State finished the season as Sun Belt Tournament Champions with a 22-9 record on the year. 

STAT LEADERS

• Kills – Sam Wunsch (9)
• Assists – Ryann Torres (24)
• Blocks – Jade Defraeye, Bailey Hanner (3)
• Digs – Alyssa Ortega (13)

 
SCORES BY SET

• 1st | Texas State 16, Mizzou 25
• 2nd | Texas State 22, Mizzou 25
• 3rd | Texas State 22, Mizzou 25

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.