Texas State volleyball gets swept by the Miami Hurricanes

Amira Van Leeuwen | Staff Reporter

SAN MARCOS – Texas State Bobcat volleyball (2-7, 0-0 Sunbelt) lost to the Miami Hurricanes (6-0, 0-0 ACC) 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-22) on Sept. 10 at Strahan Arena.

First Set

The first set started off with a tip from the Canes, scoring them their first set of the match (1-0). Canes’ junior setter Vach served a short ball to junior outside hitter Courtney Heiser who was unable to get to the ball in time. Miami’s hitters swung big and played with a lot of aggression in the first set. Graduate setter Brooke Johnson set to senior outside hitter Kenedi Rutherford who hit the ball and gots a point for Texas State, putting them ahead by 2 points (6-4).

After a serve from Texas State, senior middle blocker Tyeranee Scott, graduate outside hitter Janet Kalaiuvalu went up to hit for the Canes and hit into the block, getting another point for Miami, keeping them ahead (8-6).

Kalaiuvalu had seven kills throughout the night, followed by junior middle blocker Janice Leao and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Angela Grieve both with 13 kills. A fake dump by sophomore setter Ryann Torres was picked up by Miami and the Bobcats and Canes rallied it out. After Miami got the point, Texas State took a timeout with Miami still in the lead (12-7).

After a kill from Scott, Miami took a timeout, leading by 5 points (19-14). The Bobcats continued to fight, as the Canes kept them at arm’s length. A massive swing from freshman outside hitter Peyman Yardimci was hit into the Texas State block, getting Miami their final point of the match (25-18).

Second Set

In the second set, freshman middle blocker Ashley Carr hit the ball and it went off the Texas State block out of bounds, getting Miami another point (3-2). The Bobcats get another point after Scott hit the ball, tying the game (5-5). Graduate transfer outside hitter Jada Gardner swung directly between the hole in the block and was able to get Texas State another point (13-9). 

Gardner was Texas State’s top hitter of the night with 13 kills. Texas State senior outside hitter Janell Fitzgerald got a big swing on the Canes, getting a point for Texas State as they trailed by 3 points (23-20). Junior outside hitter Lauren Teske jumped up and swung aggressively, getting another point for the Bobcats, keeping them alive at game point (24-21). Another swing from Kalaniuvalu won Miami the game point (25-22). 

Third Set

The Bobcats came into the third set strong, as they got a 5-point lead (5-0). Miami started off a little cold and took a timeout. Coming out of the timeout Miami got their first point. Texas State challenged a lift call in the match, but after further review, the call stood and the point went to Miami (10-8). Miami started heating up, but a swing from Fitzgerald stopped the Miami run (11-9). 

Sophomore middle blocker Megan Woods slammed the ball to the ground for another Texas State point, putting them behind the Canes by 2 points (12-10). Texas State got another point after Scott hit the ball for a kill, tying the game up (20-20). 

Texas State challenged a touch call. The call was overturned, giving Texas State a point (24-22 Miami). The close game ended with a final point for Miami, ending the set with a final score of (25-22).

Overall, the Bobcats lacked consistency throughout all three sets, allowing for the Canes to go on multiple-point runs. 

“We got outworked, you know. We just talked to the team in the locker room and we gotta get to work. We’re tired of talking about the tough schedule and people being out and things happening. Whoever is on the court has to put it together and we’re really inconsistent,” Head Coach Sean Hieut said. 

“Getting our butts kicked on our home court 3-0 is not acceptable in our program and so we’re going to get to work,” Hieut said.

The Bobcats will take on Texas A&M on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at Strahan Arena. The game will also be broadcasted on ESPN.