SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State Volleyball splits hosting duties this week with a match at Strahan Arena against the Beavers of Oregon State on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and a match in San Diego, Calif., on Oct. 17, against San Diego State.
The Bobcats enter the fourth week of Pac-12 play with a 7-10 overall record and a 2-4 record in conference play after a weekend split against Gonzaga and Washington State.
MATCH INFO
- Wednesday, Oct. 14 vs. Oregon State (6 p.m. CT)
- Saturday, Oct. 17 vs. San Diego State (2 p.m. CT)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS
- Texas State turned in a split weekend with a four-set win over Gonzaga on Thursday, Oct. 8, and a four-set loss to Washington State on Saturday, Oct. 10.
- In the match against Washington State, three different Bobcats finished in double-digit digs for the first time since their four-set win against A&M-Corpus Christi on Sept. 5.
- Against Gonzaga, middle blocker India Bennett recorded 14 kills on a .440 [14-3-25] hitting clip. In addition, both she and redshirt freshman Ashley Euston recorded five blocks each.
- In the matches against both Gonzaga and Washington State, Texas State posted 11 blocks. Bennett and Euston combined for 20 total blocks. The pair also posted a rate of 1.25 blocks per set across the two matches.
- Alongside Bennett was junior Caelyn Robel who posted yet another stellar weekend on offense, producing 25 kills in eight sets for an average of 3.13 kills per set. Robel also turned in a 25-9-58 offensive performance for a .276 hitting percentage.
- Jasmine Purakal continues to lead the Bobcats' defense, currently knocking on the door of the 1,000 career digs milestone. The fifth year needs just eight total digs this weekend to earn the honor.
- Senior Brooke Bentke continues to lead Texas State's offense with 171 kills on a .193 hitting clip. The senior is also tallying a rate of 2.67 kills per set.
- Euston still holds the season-high in single-match blocks with 10 in a four-set match against UNT on Sept. 12.
- Defensively, Texas State is currently out-blocking their opponents, 134-118.5.
- Breaking down the matches by set, the Bobcats are 1-3 in five-set matches, 2-4 in four-set matches, and 4-3 in three-set matches.
- While junior Anna Blaine crossed the 1,000 career assists threshold on Sept. 5, senior Dylan Gilkey is working her way towards that milestone needing 181 assists to reach that mark.
- Sophomore Peyton McKee is also working on the 500 career kills mark, needing 67.
SERIES HISTORY
Against the Beavers
- Texas State played Oregon State earlier this season on Oct. 1, falling to the Beavers in a four-set match. Against Oregon State, Caelyn Robel led with 10 kills, and both Peyton McKee and Ashley Euston tallied two blocks.
- After September's match, Texas State is now tied in the all-time series against Oregon State at 1-1.
- This will be the Beavers' first time playing in Strahan Arena. The lone win against the Beavers was a three-set sweep on Sept. 12, 2024.
Against the Aztecs
- San Diego State owns the all-time series record against Texas State, 3-1.
- Saturday's matchup will be the first meeting between the two programs in over 22 years.
- While the Aztecs have played at Strahan Arena twice, this will be the Bobcats' first trip to Peterson Gym in San Diego, California.
- The last win against the Aztecs was a three-set sweep on Sept. 10, 2004.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Oregon State
- Oregon State currently has an 8-8 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference play.
- AC Froehlich leads the Beavers' offense with 220 kills through 16 matches. The senior currently has a .231 hitting percentage and posted a season-high 27 kills against Washington State on Sept. 26.
- Helping Froehlich to 220 kills is setter Jackie Matias. Matias has 578 total assists and has helped Oregon State to a healthy .221 hitting percentage.
- On the back line, Isabel Bertelsen is leading the floor defense with 202 digs and is also leading at the service line with 22 service aces.
- Last but certainly not least, Alana Marrs has 58 blocks through 16 matches for an average of 1.12 blocks per set.
San Diego State
- San Diego State currently has a 10-6 overall record and the second-best conference record at 5-1.
- The Aztecs are fresh off of two Pac-12 Player of the Week honors.
- Setter Kendall Mairs is fresh off her second-straight and third total Pac-12 Setter of the Week honor. Mairs currently has 557 assists and is averaging 9.60 assists per set. In addition, San Diego State is posting a .227 hitting percentage thanks to Mairs. Against Gonzaga this past week, the sophomore also posted a career-high four blocks.
- Defensively, Taelyn Bentley led SDSU with 10 blocks this last week, the most of any player who played six sets or fewer to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors. On the Aztecs' squad, Tessa Schouten leads with 46 blocks and an average of 0.85 blocks per set.
- Ella Schabort leads SDSU's offense with 198 total kills across 58 sets played for an average of 3.41 kills per set. The senior is also working with a .264 hitting percentage.
