SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State Volleyball fell to Boise State in four sets on Saturday afternoon at Strahan Arena.
The Bobcats (7-15 overall, 2-9 Pac-12) grounded out a first set win that went to extra points, but the Broncos (15-9 overall, 7-4 Pac-12) course corrected and took the final three sets.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 26-24
The two sides traded the most blows in the first set, tying the score a total of 10 times. With the score at 24-24, a kill from sophomore
Peyton McKee and an attack error by the Broncos gave Texas State the first set. McKee led the way with five kills in the set and fifth year
India Bennett led in blocks with three including her first solo effort. The Bobcats' defense at the net bested the Broncos', four blocks to three and at the service line, Texas State tallied two service aces to Boise State's one.
Set 2: 17-25
The Bobcats hit a set-best .242 in the second, but errors plagued all parts of Texas State's game, totaling nine across the major statistical categories. Senior
Brooke Bentke was the bright spot for the Bobcats' offense, finishing the frame with seven kills on a .455 [7-2-11] hitting clip. The Bobcats' net defense was better Boise State's for the second straight set as four different Bobcats combined for the two total team blocks.
Set 3: 13-25
Three different Bobcats--McKee, Bentke, and redshirt freshman
Ashley Euston--recorded three kills each, and both McKee and Euston combined efforts for the sole block of the frame. The Texas State back row defense also had three different Bobcats record three digs.
Set 4: 21-25
Texas State fought back in the final set, taking the lead twice and tying the score seven times, but Boise State's efficient offense and strong net defense proved to be the difference. McKee led the offense for the second set of the day with four kills and both Bentke and Bennett tallied three with senior
Ameena Campbell and Euston rounding out the offensive efforts with two kills and one kill, respectively. Bennett also recorded the lone solo block of the set while Campbell and Euston paired up for the second team block. Senior
Dylan Gilkey and McKee anchored the back row defense with five digs each.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Sean Huiet on the Loss
"Just frustrated. I told my staff I feel like that last play has been kind of the definition of our season. We worked hard to get the free ball but then didn't have a great pass and swung out of bounds. We're missing a lot of opportunities and it's just unfortunate and frustrating."
NOTABLES
- Two different Bobcats finished in double figure kills. Peyton McKee finished with a team-high 16 kills and Brooke Bentke totaled 13.
- Texas State had several contributors to the back row defense, with Jasmine Purakal and Dylan Gilkey tied at 12. McKee also finished in double-digit digs with 10.
- Saturday's nine blocks are the most for Texas State since Oct. 10 against Washington State when the Bobcats recorded 11.
- With her 42 assists on Saturday, Gilkey is now 48 assists away from 1,000 career assists. Gilkey's performance against Boise State also marks the first 40 or more assist match since 2024.
- Peyton McKee's 16 kills ties a season high for the sophomore.
- Saturday's match marked the first start of the season for Ameena Campbell.
UP NEXT
The Bobcats head to Logan, Utah for a match against Utah State on Wednesday, Nov. 4. First serve is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 YouTube channel.
