By Tyler Mayforth
Daily Record Sports
San Marcos —
If losing turns a coach’s hair white, then winning adds color to it.
That’s the only feasible explanation following Texas State’s 3-0 victory against Prairie View A&M Tuesday night.
Ten minutes after the Bobcats wrapped up the win, head coach Karen Chisum stood at mid-court with a smile on her face and colorful sparkles in her white hair. It wasn’t natural coloring, as Chisum’s white hair was sprinkled with multi-colored confetti poured from a Gatorade bucket at the conclusion of the match.
If Texas State had just won a national championship, it might have been actual Gatorade but for Chisum’s 700th career win, confetti sufficed.
“There’s been a lot of people involved in those 700 and that’s what means the world to me,” Chisum said while choking back tears. “[It leads to] a lot of reflection. I love Texas State. I love these kids. They’ve done it for me. I’m glad it’s done and I’m glad it’s over.”
The Bobcats (3-4) had to wait for a while to get Chisum her 700th win as they were denied victory in each of their three attempts last weekend at the SMU Invitational.
So when Texas State returned to San Marcos for its home opener, there was never a doubt Chisum would leave without the victory.
“We were actually talking as a team about how unfortunate is was to not get any wins over the weekend,” Bobcats senior setter Shelbi Irvin said, “but we knew coming in that we wanted it tonight.”
Texas State, buoyed by Irvin’s return (missed several matches due to a foot injury), never gave the Panthers (1-5) a chance Tuesday night.
The Bobcats jumped out to an 18-8 lead in the first set behind freshman Preslie Alexander’s windmilling arm and never looked back. Alexander, who finished with a game-high 12 kills, terminated seven points in the first set.
“We were just clicking,” Alexander said. “Our defense was good. Everything was up.”
Texas State recorded 37 digs in the match, led by Irvin’s six and four other players’ five (Alexander, AJ Watlington, Erica Dryden and Caleig McCorquodate).
With the Bobcats’ defense carrying the load, Irvin (17 assists) and McCorquodale (11 assists) could easily get the balls to where the outside hitters needed them.
“It’s a great feeling to be back,” Irvin said. “While it was tough for me to be out, it was great to see what worked and what things didn’t work as opposed to just being thrown in there from the beginning.”
Irvin, as well as Texas State’s two other four-year seniors (Watlington and Melinda Cave) are important parts in 69 of Chisum’s 700 wins.
“I can’t say enough about those three kids,” Chisum said. “Just the endurance of playing anywhere for [a span of] four years, but winning is another thing. They’ve won three championship rings and hopefully we’ll get a fourth one to create a legacy.”
While the possibility of a fourth consecutive regular-season title is months away, Chisum knows a thing about creating legacies.
When she started out at Texas State in 1980, the Bobcats were hardly a household name. Yet though her 31 years as head coach, tireless work ethic and 700 career wins, Chisum has put Texas State on the volleyball map.
“It’s awesome to be part of such a good legacy and Coach Chisum is such an awesome person,” Irvin said. “For everyone to be a part of it with tonight being the opener, was great.”
