SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State Volleyball earned its first Pac-12 win in program history on Thursday behind a massive three-set sweep of Utah State.
The Bobcats (6-6 overall, 1-0 Pac-12) earned the win behind an impressive .327 [46-11-107] hitting percentage led by senior Brooke Bentke with 15 kills. Sophomore Peyton McKee also finished in double figures, with 10 kills on the night. At the net, Texas State out-blocked Utah State (1-10 overall, 0-1 Pac-12), 6-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1: 25-23
Down by as many as seven, Texas State made a dramatic swing in momentum going from a .000 hitting percentage prior to the 7-14 score to a .900 with two blocks for the remainder of the set. Not only did the Bobcats make the change offensively, but after the 7-14 mark, the home team posted two blocks. At the net, junior Anna Blaine led with two blocks while redshirt freshman Ashley Euston and fifth year India Bennett recorded one block each. The first set was also a complete team effort with junior Anna Blaine recording a set-high nine digs in addition to seven assists.
SET 2: 25-20
The second set was the most balanced for the Bobcats' offense as all seven of the available hitters recorded at least one kill thanks to a .483 hitting percentage and one more service ace and kill than the Aggies. Bentke was almost perfect in the second frame, recording a team-best five kills on seven total swings. Sophomore Isabella Andrews was also a force at the net, helping Texas State to its only solo block of the set. Both McKee and Euston followed Bentke's lead with three kills each. Fifth year Jasmine Purakal also recorded the lone service ace of the frame.
SET 3: 25-23
It was all Bobcats in the third frame as the offense swung for a .341 to Utah State's .268 as Texas State posted 19 kills to the Aggies' 16. In addition, Texas State posted a perfect 1.000 service rate to Utah State's .957. For the third-straight set, Bentke led the offense with six kills while eight of the 10 participants in the frame recorded at least one dig. On defense, Euston, Bentke, Blaine, and Bennett all combined for two blocks.
NOTABLES
UP NEXT
The Bobcats continue their Pac-12 slate with a match against Colorado State on Saturday, Sept. 26. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will be broadcasted on the Pac-12's YouTube channel.
