Texas State sweeps Eagles To Earn 6th-Straight Win

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Texas State volleyball team swept Georgia Southern 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-18) in Sun Belt Conference play from Hanner Fieldhouse.
 
The victory was the sixth in a row for the Bobcats (15-9, 8-1 SBC), who are now 4-0 all-time against Georgia Southern (11-12, 4-4 SBC).
 
“We played tons better than we did yesterday, no doubt about it,” Coach Karen Chisum said. “We passed and served better. It was nice to see Erin Hoppe get into a flow. I thought Micah Dinwiddie, again, did a very good job. She had seven digs a game, which is pretty good. Kelsey Weynand had a good night offensively. It was real important for us to try to get Shelby Vas Matt and Madison Daigle into the match some. We’re going to need them down the line. Blocking-wise was better. (Georgia Southern) had the same game plan that Georgia State used in terms of attacking us from the outside. Early on, our right side block wasn’t great, but we improved it throughout the night. I’m definitely pleased to be 2-0 on a road swing like this.”

Senior Kelsey Weynand finished with a match-high 15 kills on a .370 hitting percentage, while junior Jaliyah Bolden and freshman Megan Porter added 10 each. Junior Erin Hoppe ran the offense with 39 assists, and freshman Micah Dinwiddie commanded the backline with 22 digs.
 
Texas State started the evening on a high note by winning the first set, 25-23. Neither side led by more than three at any point, but Georgia Southern was able to use a 5-0 run to take a 16-14 lead. The Bobcats regained their momentum after a well-placed timeout to score six of the next eight points, and the two teams jockeyed to a 22-22 draw. A kill from Weynand forced a GS timeout, and the maroon and gold went on to capture the opener on its second set point.
 
The next frame was kinder to the visitors, as they won 25-20 after leading by as much as nine points. The two teams were deadlocked at 8-8 early on, but an 11-3 run put Texas State ahead 19-11. Georgia Southern fended off a pair of set points to get within 24-20, but Porter made sure the Eagles wouldn’t get any closer with a kill on the third clinching point.

“There are many factors, but the travel was the main reason we weren’t our best last night,” Chisum said. “The interesting thing is everybody was off. It wasn’t just one or two players. We just didn’t play great, but we found a way to win it and I’m proud of them for that. Tonight we got better a stronger. (Georgia Southern) made a few more errors than Georgia State.” 

The final set was all Bobcats, as they went on to clinch the match 25-18. The third was initially tied 5-5, but TXST pushed ahead 10-6 and never trailed again. Texas State earned a 19-14 lead and cruised to victory.
 
No member of the home team posted double-digit kills, but Cathrine Murray tallied nine. Katie Bange distributed 24 assists, while Alex Beecher had 20 digs and Joscelin Morrow added 10 digs.
 
The Bobcats led the evening in kills (47-32), attack percentage (.278-.133), digs (54-45) and blocks (6-4).
 
Texas State is currently in the midst of a stretch where the team will play five matches in 10 days. The Bobcats won the first two on the road against Georgia State and Georgia Southern Friday and tonight. The final three contests will all be in the friendly confines of Strahan Coliseum, starting with a 6:30 p.m. tilt Oct. 25 against UT Arlington. TXST defeated UTA 3-1 in Arlington on Oct. 13.

“It’s nice to be going home, but this is a tough stretch for us,” Chisum said. “If we have to do it, then I’m happy to be 2-0 and going back home to Strahan Coliseum for the final three. UT Arlington (Tuesday’s opponent) is legit. We are really going to have to be on our toes if we want to beat them. You also can’t overlook either of the Louisiana schools (UL Monroe and UL Lafayette.”