Texas State Bobcats Record Upset Sweep Over Chanticleers In Conway
“I don’t even know if we need an airplane to get home after these last two matches. I’m just proud of the team.”
Conway, S.C. – The Texas State volleyball team earned a 3-0 sweep (27-25, 25-21, 25-20) over Coastal Carolina in a Sun Belt Conference match Sunday afternoon inside HTC Center.
The Bobcats improved to 11-7 overall and 3-1 in league play. The Chanticleers, the defending league champions who were picked to repeat this year, suffered their first sweep as members of the SBC and just their second loss overall since joining the league.
This was also their first league home sweep since Oct. 29, 2011 (Presbyterian College), when they were members of the Big South Conference.
Three Bobcats registered double-digit kills, led by 12 each from senior Jaliyah Bolden and sophomore Amy Pflughaupt. Classmate Megan Porter added 11 kills, while senior Erin Hoppe distributed a match-high 35 assists and sophomore Micah Dinwiddie tallied 15 digs.
The first set went into extras, with the Bobcats securing the frame 27-25 on their third game point. The sides played to 10 draws with four lead changes, and neither team led by more than three at any point in the period.
The Chanticleers appeared ready to draw first blood after pulling ahead 20-17, but a 4-0 run brought the maroon and gold back into the fold. With the score even at 25-25, Texas State stole the frame with a kill from true freshman Tyeranee Scott followed by an ace from Dinwiddie.
Texas State went on top two games to none after closing out the second 25-21. The Bobcats used an early 6-0 run to move ahead 11-6, and they later surged to a 19-11 advantage.
The Chanticleers would not go down without a fight, however, as they climbed back to within three at 21-18. The visitors were able to claim four of the final seven points to fend off any further comeback attempt.
The 2-0 lead marked the first time Coastal Carolina dropped the opening two sets in a league match since Nov. 3, 2013 against Winthrop.
The Bobcats were able to complete the sweep after winning the third 25-20. They initially went ahead 12-8 and kept CCU reeling. The visitors took a 19-14 lead that eventually led to the five-point triumph.
No Chanticleer had double-digit kills, with reigning SBC Player of the Year Leah Hardeman leading the home team with just seven kills on a -.054 hitting percentage (9 errors, 37 attacks). Kate Federico had 12 assists, and Sara Boothe posted 10 assists. Sydney Alvis (15) and Hardeman (10) finished with double-digit digs.
TXST led the way in kills (44-24), attack percentage (.157-.065), assists (41-24), aces (8-3), and digs (51-39). The Chanticleers were held to a season-low hitting percentage and had more blocks (11-5).
Texas State will continue its four-match road swing with a 6:30 p.m. bout Oct. 6 at Little Rock. The maroon and gold will then face Arkansas State at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7.
TEXAS STATE COACH KAREN CHISUM
Opening Statement
“I don’t even know if we need an airplane to get home after these last two matches. I’m just proud of the team. Their performance today was by far one of the best we’ve had lately. You might not be able to see it offensively in the stats, but defensively as a team we were great. Micah (Dinwiddie), Mattie (Adams) and the rest of our back row made a big difference today. The team followed our game plan perfectly. We knew (Coastal Carolina was) going to key on Madison (Daigle) and Amy (Pflughaupt). They took Madison out of the match, but we had three hitters performing at all times. I also have to say hats off to Tyeranee (Scott). She did a nice job in the middle. That was major for us. We all know that may not have been Coastal’s best. Normally when they lose a set, they step it up and go to the next level. They didn’t get that opportunity today. Erin Hoppe had her best match as a Bobcat. She did a great job.”
On handing the Chanticleers their first home sweep since 2011 and their second SBC loss ever…
“(Coastal Carolina) has very good athletes. They didn’t put it together today, but part of that is what we were able to do. I’m giving all the credit to the Bobcats.”
On the momentum heading into two matches in Arkansas…
“I told the team after the match that we had a great win today, but now everybody (in the league) is going to be gunning for us. We just have to keep moving forward. Both matches next week are going to be challenging. Little Rock is better than they’ve been in the last couple years, and Arkansas State is always good. What’s fun about this conference is everybody is always competitive. All year long we are going to have to play some of our best ball. We didn’t against South Alabama, and you saw what happened.”
