Texas State Volleyball Recap

by: Kiersten Ehr
KTSW Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS— The Texas State volleyball team owned this weekend at Strahan Coliseum as the Bobcats won two straight conference matches.

Texas State vs. Georgia State

The Bobcats won their first match in the Sun Belt Conference Friday night 3-1 over the Georgia State Panthers. (Set 1: 25-20, Set 2: 25-18, Set 3: 20-25, Set 4: 25-17)

On Friday night Erin Hoppe (sophomore, setter) proved her spot on the roster with 43 assists (her 2nd best output at Texas State) which averaged 10.75 assists per set. Hoppe also added six digs, five kills and four blocks to help the Bobcats to a victory.

Leading the offense for the Bobcats, Jordan Kohl gave out 14 kills while Morgan Lewis gave the Panthers an astounding offensive run with 13 kills on a .440 hitting percentage (Lewis’s best hitting percentage). On the defensive end, Lewis dominated with a solo block and five assists to add to the Bobcats 11 blocks Friday night.

Texas State vs. UL Lafayette

On Saturday afternoon the Bobcats started the Sun Belt Conference with confidence after the 3-1 victory over Georgia State Friday. Texas State swept the Ragin’ Cajuns of UL Lafayette 3-0 starting the conference 2-0 and 7-7 on the season.

(Set 1: 26-24, Set 2: 25-17, Set 3: 25-18)

Offensive Bobcat trio to watch out for

Jordan Kohl had a brilliant Sunday afternoon for Texas State as she gave up 18 kills (two kills away from her career high of 20). Kohl had a .419 hitting percentage giving up 11 kills just to start off the first set.

Shelby Vas Matt had a .351 hitting percentage giving up 16 kills for the Bobcats.

Starting her freshman year as a Bobcat, Madison Daigle gave up 13 kills with a .500 hitting percentage. (Set a new career high in 1^st season with 13 kills after giving up 10 vs. Georgia State on September 18)

On the defensive end

Heading into her senior year at Texas State, Sierra Smith helped the Bobcats with 23 digs in the three-set match for a brilliant 7.67 dig per set average.

“What a come back for us. Extremely proud of the comeback, said head coach Karen Chisum. We took the air out of their balloon. I think Jordan Kohl did a great job. Madison Daigle as a freshman that kid played a great game. That’s always nice.”

“The comeback in the third set was huge, said Chisum. I think Sierra Smith had her best game of the year. She has 23 digs which is almost seven digs a game. That’s the Sierra we know. She’s a spark for this team. It’s very good to see that.”

“It’s all about Georgia State and Appalachian State now, said Chisum. But standing here, I’m pleased to be 2-0 in the conference. This is all about conference and we look forward to being home again in two weeks.”

Texas State will travel on the road to face Georgia State in Atlanta at 5 p.m. CST on Thursday night followed by a match in Boone, N.C., against Appalachian State at 5:30 p.m. CST on Saturday.