SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State picked up a pair of 3-0 sweeps over the ULM volleyball team Friday in the Sun Belt Conference openers for both schools at Strahan Arena.
The Bobcats (7-1 overall, 2-0 Sun Belt Conference), the two-time defending Sun Belt Conference champions, used scoring runs in each of the six sets to gain separation in controlling both matches. Texas State won the first match, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18. The Bobcats took the second match in similar fashion, 25-14, 25-16, 25-14.
"It's always a humbling experience playing on the road at back-to-back SBC champion Texas State," ULM head volleyball coach Charlie Olson said. "To play them twice in the same day adds to the challenge. Now, to turn around and play them a third time just adds to that challenge exponentially."
In the first match, ULM (1-4, 0-2) hung tough early in the first set. The Warhawks climbed within two points at 8-6 off a Bobcat attack error. However, Texas State scored the next four points and 11 of the next 12 to open a 19-7 lead before a kill by senior Ina Gosen slowed the run. Texas State won the first set, 25-14.
In the second set, the Bobcats were in control from the beginning. Texas State scored 10 of the first 12 points to lead 10-2. ULM got as close as five points, at 17-12 on a kill by sophomore Shaska Davis, but the Bobcats cruised to the 25-16 win.
Texas State closed out the first match of the day in the third set. ULM trailed 4-3 when Texas State used a 7-1 spurt to push the lead to seven at 11-4. ULM closed the gap to four thanks to a 4-0 push, capped on a kill by senior Catherine Griffith. However, Texas State answered with a four-point run of their own. ULM rallied once more with four straight points and climbed to within four again at 20-16 on a kill by sophomore Kathryn Raschilla. The Bobcats put the match away with five of the next seven points to take the set, 25-18, and the match, 3-0.
Senior Haley Coulter led ULM with six kills. Freshman Karson Davis tallied 10 assists while sophomore Madeline Hogan had 13 digs.
In the second match, Texas State pulled away in the middle and late portions of each set to take the match, 3-0.
In the first set, the Warhawks and Bobcats played tight early. ULM claimed a 9-7 lead on back-to-back kills from Raschilla and Coulter. Then, Texas State flipped the set. The Bobcats scored eight straight points to pull in front, and 12 of the next 13 points to take control, leading 19-10. Texas State claimed the first set, 25-14.
The Bobcats sprinted out to an early lead in the second set, but ULM responded. After trailing 4-1, the Warhawks tied the match at 7 on junior Cali Assaley's service ace. Texas State pulled back ahead by four at 14-10, but ULM kept it close, getting back within three again at 15-12 on Gosen's kill. Texas State then pulled away, scoring eight of the next nine points to extend the lead to 10 at 23-13. The Bobcats won the set, 25-16.
In the final set of the evening, the Warhawks seemed determined early to force a fourth set. ULM took a 7-5 lead on a kill by Griffith and a block by Griffith and Raschilla. However, Texas State fought back, scoring nine of the next 10 points to go on top, 14-8. The Warhawks cut the gap to four at 16-12 on a kill by Coulter and a Texas State attack error. Texas State answered with nine of the final 11 points of the match to take the set, 25-14, and the match, 3-0.
Coulter led the Warhawks with eight kills. Davis added 12 assists. Hogan led the defense with 15 digs.
"Regardless of what the box score shows, we competed," Olson said. "We were a much more composed team in our second match than we were in the first. We had the opportunity to try a few different lineups and work on getting one percent better.
"Do we want to win? Absolutely. However, it's imperative that we do it the right way and continue to work hard and respect the process of learning and growth. Two losses won't take us out of the fight. We will show up at 1 p.m. (Saturday) and are excited to compete."
The Warhawks and Bobcats wrap up the series at 1 p.m. Saturday. Links to live video and stats are available on the volleyball schedule page at ULMWarhawks.com.
