Bobcats defeat UT Arlington in regular-season finale

Texas State ended the regular season on a high note by defeating UT-Arlington, 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-13), on Friday inside College Park Center in Arlington. 

The Bobcats (24-6, 15-1 Sun Belt) and Mavericks (15-11, 9-7) began Friday’s matchup in back and forth fashion. But Texas State seized control after it held onto a slim 9-8 advantage. The Bobcats went on a 16-7 run to end the first set with a 25-15 win. 

The second set was a much closer affair. Texas State took an 8-7 lead and never gave it up. But UTA didn’t go down easy. Texas State only built a seven-point lead in the frame. But the Bobcats took a 2-0 match advantage with a 25-21 win in the second set. 

Texas State began the third period on a strong 4-0 run. The Mavericks fought back to within 8-6, but the Bobcats ran away with the set and quickly held an 18-9 lead. Texas State secured the sweep with a 25-13 third-set victory. 

Freshman outside hitter Janell Fitzgerald, who missed the last two matches, led the Bobcats with a career-high 19 kills. Senior middle blocker Madison Daigle tallied 11 kills. Freshman setter Emily DeWalt secured her 19th double-double of the season with 36 assists and 12 digs. DeWalt leads the Sun Belt in double-doubles this year. Junior libero Micah Dinwiddie amassed 15 digs and nine assists.

 Texas State finished the regular season strongly. After beginning the year at 5-5, the Bobcats won 19 of their last 20 contests. Texas State’s 24 victories this season are fourth-most in the country. 

 The Bobcats will begin their run in the Sun Belt tournament on Nov. 17 in Atlanta. As the No. 1 seed in the tournament, Texas State receives a double bye and will begin play in the semifinal round.