Bobcats Downed by Cougars in Four Sets

By Ian Graffunder

KTSW Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State Bobcats Volleyball team lost to Washington State on Saturday in four sets (25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-17) in a competitive match that slipped out of the paws of the Cats as they drop to a 7-10 record on the season.

The Bobcats started the match strong behind Caelyn Robel, who led the way with 15 kills. She helped the Bobcats trade the first two sets to make it 1-1 going into the third set. Senior Hitter Brooke Bentke struggled in the loss, notching only eight kills and racking up 10 errors in the process. 

Ashley Euston has been a real bright spot for the Bobcats over the last couple of matches racking up 18 kills, 10 blocks, and six digs against Gonzaga and Washington State.

The Bobcats have struggled with consistency over the course of the season so far, with their longest win streak coming against Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Stephen F. Austin, and UT Arlington at the start of September. When asked about possible changes moving forward, Head Coach Sean Huiet was very blunt about the inconsistencies.

“The consistency piece is huge. Knowing who we can count on night in and night out, that part is hard…We should be at a point in our season where we have a lineup that we kind of trust and we know we can go with. It’s just different with a lot of new pieces and a lot of new faces. But it’s still on us to have to figure that out.”

Washington State was able to snap a three match losing streak with a big performance from Eliana Ti’a, who led the Cougars with 16 kills while also notching eight digs on the defensive end. Emerson Matthews was right on the heels of Tia, who racked up 15 kills of her own and secured nine digs. 

The Bobcats will next face off against Oregon State for the second meeting of the teams this season. That match will start at 6 p.m. at the Strahan Arena.