THE BASICS
Score: ULM 1, Texas State 3
(12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 22-25)
Records: ULM (8-21, 2-9 SBC)
Texas State (18-9, 11-1 SBC)
Location: San Marcos, Texas
San Marcos, Texas - The ULM volleyball team took a set off of Texas State on the hosts' senior night to close out the Warhawks final regular season road trip with a 3-1 loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Bobcats took control right away in the opening set of their senior night. Texas State held a solid lead but after a six-point run to advance the score to 10, the Warhawks were unable to make up the difference as Texas State claimed set one.
-The Warhawks had a slow start to set two but gained their footing and traded points with the Bobcats until they were able to come from a behind and take the set. ULM was able to hold Texas State at 23 while stinging together a six-point run to close the set that would even the match at one set apiece.
-On a level playing field in set three, the Warhawks continued to push the Bobcats. However, Texas State was able to close out the set.
-ULM hung tight with Texas State in set four but after an 18-all tie the Bobcats made their advance and closed out the match.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-ULM posted its highest hitting percentage in set three (.111).
-ULM recorded its highest total of kills in set three (10).
-Kaitlyn Shearer led the offense with nine kills as Hope Pawlik followed right behind with eight kills of her own.
-Shearer also contributed a total of six blocks on the night with two solo blocks and five block assists. Ana Ribiero was also a force at the net with four block assists on the night.
-Tara Jenkins posted the lone double-double for the team on the night with 22 assists and 11 digs.
-Hope Pawlik led the defensive effort with 20 digs. Albany Schaffer, like Jenkins, also contributed 11 digs.
-The teams put up 20 total tie scores and 10 lead changes. Set two had the highest total of tie scores with eight but set three was just one tie score away from matching. Sets two and three both ended with four total lead changes.
FROM COACH HILTZ
About the match: Better, but still a loss at the end of the day when we desperately need wins. We played with heart and pride and never quit. Give Texas State credit, they made some adjustments late in the fourth set that helped them get back into the set. We adjusted back in time but just couldn't make enough plays in the end.
About the team: Our block was fantastic tonight led by Kaitlyn and Ana. Ana may not have had a lot of blocks in the stat line but she got her hands on a ton of their hits and gave our second line an opportunity to play the ball. Those two were fun to watch and had their hitters frustrated all night. Grace did a good job as well. She also doesn't have the stats to reflect her efforts but she deserves some kudos for what she brought to the game tonight.
Looking forward: The key for us moving forward will be to continue to trust the process and not settle for anything less than improvement every day and every game. We are home the rest of the way, which helps, and I look forward to showing Monroe how much heart we have and how much this team loves representing their school.
UP NEXT
-The Warhawks will return home for the remainder of the regular season. ULM will retake the court against South Alabama on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
