STANFORD, Calif — Texas State Volleyball fought to keep themselves alive in set four of tonight's match but fell just short in their attempts to force a fifth set against the UCLA Bruins.

Nina Moorer led the Bobcats with 13 kills, alongside Jade Defraeye who paired 11 kills with seven blocks. That, alongside a 41-assist night from Anna Blaine helped the Bobcats compete for four sets against UCLA, who are receiving votes in the AVCA Coache's Polls.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Bobcats struggled to find rhythm in the first set when UCLA tallied 16 kills, limiting Texas State to just five of their own .The Bruins were plagued by errors, though, which allowed Texas State to keep the set close. UCLA had nine attack errors and five service errors to help the Bobcats five kills and five blocks. Texas State fell 25-19 in set one.

The Bobcats rebounded well in set two, though, improving to a .375 attack line on 16-4-32 swinging. That, with three blocks, helped Texas State win the second set 25-20. Jade Defraeye led the way with five kills in the second set. That and the Bruins still giving the Bobcats points with attack errors, six in this set, Texas State drew the match level at 1-1.

The third set was a close affair between the two sides, with Texas State actually outhitting the Bruins despite losing the set 25-22. Texas State hit 15-6-38 for a .237 attack percentage, while UCLA was just 13-5-42 for a .190. Ultimately, the difference in the set was UCLA tallying four service aces to the Bobcats one.

Texas State rallied well late in the fourth set to force UCLA's hand. Despite being down 16-12 midway through the set, Texas State battled to tie things at 22. From there, the two sides matched points the rest of the way through the set. There were four set points for the team's to battle through, but ultimately a challenge by UCLA decided the match. Texas State fell 28-26 in set four to lose the match.

After today's four set loss to UCLA, Texas State is 4-5 on the season.

STAT LEADERS

• Kills – Nina Moorer (13)
• Assists – Anna Blaine (41)
• Blocks – Jade Defraeye (7)
• Digs – Alyssa Clark (13)

SCORES BY SET

• 1st | Texas State 19, UCLA 25
• 2nd | Texas State 25, UCLA 20
• 3rd | Texas State 22, UCLA 25
• 4^th | Texas State 26, UCLA 28

MATCH NOTES

• Nina Moorer tied her career-high for kills with 13 against UCLA.
• Anna Blaine had her fifth career double-double with 41 assists and 12 digs.
   

UP NEXT
Texas State will continue the Stanford Tournament tomorrow, Sept. 20, at 4:30 pm (PT) / 6:30 pm (CT) against #4 Stanford inside the Maples Pavillion. The Bobcats will close their trip to California on Sept. 21 against Hawaii with an 11 am (PT) / 1 pm (CT) start time. The team will then return home to open Sun Belt play on Sept. 6 at 6 pm (CT) vs Louisiana.

FOLLOW US
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