FOLEY, Alabama — Texas State volleyball blocked its way to a three-set win over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers to advance to the Sun Belt Tournament semi-finals on Friday afternoon.

Highlighted by an 11 kill and nine dig night from Jade Defraeye, Texas State was able to take straight sets over the Chanticleers. Defraeye's outing made her Texas State's all-time program record holder for block assists. She also tied a Sun Belt Tournament record for blocks in a three set match with her nine.

Alongside Defraeye's prolific outing, Dylan Gilkey led the team in assists and digs for a double-double on the afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Texas State started off the match with a block from Nina Moorer and Defraeye that set the tone for the Bobcats 13-block night. From there, it was a back-and-forth affair for the set and entire match. There were 18 tied scores and 10 lead changes throughout the three sets, despite the Bobcats winning all three sets. Texas State's largest lead of the first set came in the final points of the set when they led by four to win 25-21. It was back-to-back blocks from Defraeye that sealed the program record and the set.

Texas State got out to a 7-1 lead in the second set, and Coastal Carolina took a timeout. From there, they were able to battle their way back into the set and tie things up at 18 apiece. It was a gritty showing from the Bobcats, then, to bounce back and win the set. Texas State was led, by a Gilkey serve run to end the set, on a 4-0 run to win set two 25-21.

The Chanticleers led in the third set by the media timeout, holdinga. 15-12 lead. The Bobcats gave it everything they had to keep thenm from extending their lead, though. They came back to tie things at 17 off an Anna Blaine serve run. From there, it was a battle with narrow calls and challenge through to the end. Samantha Wunsch went for back-to-back kills to take the match by a 26-24 score.

Texas State is now 17-11 on the season and will play their semi-final game at 2 pm tomorrow. 

STAT LEADERS

• Kills – Jade Defraeye (11)
• Assists – Dylan Gilkey (18)
• Blocks – Jade Defraeye (9)
• Digs – Dylan Gilkey (12)

SCORES BY SET

• 1st | Texas State 25, Coastla Carolina 21
• 2nd | Texas State 25, Coastal Carolina 21
• 3rd | Texas State 26, Coastal Carolina 24

UP NEXT
Texas State will play the winner of the match between Arkansas State and Southern Miss tomorrow at 2 pm. That game and the entire Sun Belt Tournament will be streamed on ESPN+.

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.