NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Texas State Volleyball came up short on Saturday, falling 3-1 to North Texas. 

The Bobcats (4-4 overall) exploded in the third set with a .360 [14-5-25] hitting percentage and seven total blocks, but the Mean Green (5-3 overall) hit almost .400 in the fourth to take the match. Sophomore Isabella Andrews posted her second double-double this season while redshirt freshman Ashley Euston posted eight kills and a career-high in blocks (10). 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: 25-23
The Bobcats literally came out swinging in the first set thanks to a kill from sophomore Isabella Andrews and back-to-back service aces from junior Anna Blaine to put Texas State up, 3-0. The two sides took turns with the lead until the 7-8 mark when the Mean Green went on a 7-1 scoring run to go up by a set-high five. Texas State began to claw its way back, bringing themselves within one at 24-23, but North Texas took set point and the first frame. Euston posted a team-high four kills while fifth year India Bennett and junior Caelyn Robel worked together to put up the one block in the frame.

Set 2: 25-19
In the second set, the Bobcats jumped out early, keeping themselves ahead of the Mean Green and even answering UNT's 5-0 scoring run with one of their own to push the score to 12-8. North Texas pushed right back and evened the score at 12-12 and proceeded to take the lead, 13-12. A kill from senior Brooke Bentke knotted the set back up, 13-13, but the Mean Green wasted no time taking the lead back and keeping it for the rest of the frame. Sophomore Peyton McKee led with three kills while the net defense racked up four total blocks with Euston and Andrews tying for the most blocks at two each.

Set 3: 25-17
Texas State made a statement in the third frame with the Bobcats' net defense absolutely obliterating North Texas' offense. In total, the Bobcats finished with seven total blocks in the third set. Texas State's seven blocks in the third set are more than their total blocks in four different matches this season. Euston absolutely exploded at the tape, posting seven block assists with the next closest being Bentke with three. Offensively, Texas State posted a match-high .360 [14-5-25] hitting percentage and sideout percentage at 82% (14-17). The highlight of the set came during a 4-0 scoring run for the Bobcats, when Euston, McKee, and Bentke helped post three straight blocks followed by a service ace from senior Dylan Gilkey. The third set is also the first this season where there were no ties or lead changes, as Texas State only let North Texas get within one point. 

Set 4: 25-19
The final set of the day came down to either team's ability to serve receive, with North Texas taking the win with a perfect 1.000 reception rate. The Mean Green tallied more kills than the Bobcats, 15-13, but Texas State had the better net defense, two total blocks to UNT's one. The Bobcats managed to tie the score three different times but were unable to take the lead more than once. McKee and Bentke led with four kills each, while four different Bobcats, McKee, Euston, Bennett, and Andrews, all posted one kill each. 

NOTABLES

• Saturday's match marked the third straight match the Bobcats tallied 50 or more kills.
• Isabella Andrews posted her second double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs.
• Ashley Euston posted a career-high 10 blocks on Saturday, the last Bobcat to do so was almost exactly a year ago when Jade Defraeye posted 10 blocks against Arizona State on Sept. 11, 2025.
• Peyton McKee and Isabella Andrews both finished in double figures as McKee posted her 19th match finishing in double digit kills. Andrews' performance is her second this season.

UP NEXT
The Bobcats close out their non-conference schedule with one last road trip to Houston, Texas to play in the Flo Hyman Classic hosted by the University of Houston. Texas State opens the weekend with a doubleheader against Houston Christian and the University of Houston. First serve against the Huskies is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT while first serve against the Cougars is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Follow Bobcat Volleyball on Facebook, X, and Instagram.