SAN MARCOS, TX — Volleyball season is just around the corner as Texas State has its final tune up for the 2024 season this weekend versus Lamar. Before getting underway against Lamar, the Bobcats will host a scrimmage on Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. inside Strahan Arena.
The match, slated for 3 p.m. on August 24
th inside Strahan Arena, will be fan's lone chance to see the Bobcats before October. The team will spend the first 13 games of the season on the road, with its regular season home opener on October 4
th versus Troy.
The Bobcats are 44-35 in regular season meetings against Lamar. The Bobcats are currently on a five-game win streak dating back five years, though the two teams haven't faced off since 2015. Saturday's match will not count toward the season or all-time record for these two teams.
After a 2-27 campaign in 2023, Lamar brought in new head coach Ariel Apolinario. Coming into the season the Cardinals have just two upperclassmen on the roster after rebuilding the team from last season.
NOTES TO KNOW:
- 2023 Season Rewind: The Bobcats finished the 2023 season first place in the Sun Belt West Division with a 20-10 record, going 12-4 in conference play. The team made an appearance in the Sun Belt Conference semi-final game, losing to James Madison 3-2. Despite that, though, the program made an appearance in the NCAA tournament, making the program's first appearance as an at-large bid. After a difficult non-conference slate helped build an impressive resume highlighted by a sweep over #13 Houston, the Bobcats were selected to the Austin Regional.
- Preseason Polls: The Bobcats were selected to finish first place in the West Division in the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll. With unanimous selection, they received the most points of any team in the conference.
- Culture Over Everything: The 2024 team mantra is 'Culture Over Everything' which is a reminder that this year's team came up with to be selfless in everything they do. They are looking forward to leading by being selfless and putting each other first. They know it is going to take every single one of them to accomplish the goals they have for this season. 'Culture Over Everything' is a promise they made to eachother to get there together by doing what's best for the team.
- On the Road: Texas State will start its season with 13 consecutive road games. Texas State was originally expected to host a Presidential Debate inside Strahan Arena in September, and due to that the team scheduled road games for most of its non-conference play. Despite the altered debate schedule that no longer comes through Strahan Arena, the Bobcats will stay on the road for 13 games in a row, having just eight regular season home matches inside Strahan Arena this fall.
- Familiar Faces: The Bobcats are returning six starters from the 2023 season, including reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jade Defraeye, All-Conference selections Ryann Torres, Sam Wunsch and Alyssa Ortega, and Bailey Hanner and Maggie Walsh.
- Newcomers: With an impressive incoming class of six freshman and one transfer, head coach Sean Huiet and staff have reloaded their reigning nation's leading defense and added key offensive pieces to their squad.
- Meet the Staff: Head Coach Sean Huiet enters his fifth year in charge and a 95-38 record in his tenure. His staff from 2023, Keith Anderson, Charli Fouts, Carly Graham and Hope Hodges all return for 2024.
- Additionally, Huiet has brought on graduate assistant Drew Carter to the staff. He joins the program after previously being on the App State staff in 2023.
UP NEXT
- Texas State will open its 2024 campaign at a tournament hosted by Rice. The Bobcats' season will open on Aug. 30 versus Houston Christian at 10 a.m. (CT) as game one of a double match day, seeing Texas Southern in the evening match at p.m.. The Bobcats will face the hosts, Rice, on Aug. 31 at 3 p.m.
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.
